“While Barack Obama’s experience of winning the US presidential campaign primarily due to new media may not jive with our domestic conditions, it can be contributive to the success of electoral campaigns in the Philippines if appropriated,” said Mr. Rick Bahague, national coordinator of the Computer Professionals’ Union (CPU) in regards to the upcoming 2010 elections.

While the Philippines remains far behind US in terms of internet accessibility, statistics indicate how the web and other new media such as SMS, multimedia, and social networking can still serve to effectively reach and win over a particular niche of the Philippine population.

“For instance, it is noticeable how candidates leading in recent surveys are those with an online presence in the form of personal websites and social network pages,” explained Mr. Bahague. “This is indicative of how information and communication technologies can serve as means to maximizing the promotion of campaigns.”

CPU will be holding the “New Media: A Powerful Tool in the 2010 Elections,” an event in cooperation with Friendster, Yehey!, and Top Marketing Solutions featuring Ms. Mary Joyce, the New Media Operations manager of Obama’s presidential campaign, to share inputs in turning new media into a success tool in electoral campaigns. For further details, visit CPU’s website at www.cp-union .com or send a mail to secretariat@cp-union.com.

“We encourage everyone who aspires to be the change we need in the coming 2010 elections to have a first-hand look into how it was put into practice,” said Mr. Bahague.# # #