It was our simple “day-off” together. Some of my co-staff members and I, together with Congressman Mong, went to the opening day of the Cine Europa Film Festival in Shangri-la Mall. We caught the screening of Just Another Love Story, which contrary to its pleasant name, is actually dark and engaging Danish thriller film. Having watched it made me miss the days when almost all I did for school, as a film student in UP, was watch non-mainstream movies in class and write papers about them.

After the movie, we just had some snacks at the food court before parting ways.

Later that afternoon, I met up with some students from UP Manila who requested for an interview with regard to my opinion on lobbying through blogging and online social networking. Airah was also there to help me answer the queries. Our first answer was that, there’s no such thing as “lobbying through blogging.” At best, blogging is only a minor complement to a lobbying campaign in the largely traditional arena of Philippine politics. The primary force in the shaping of public policy is and should always be the mass movement. I conceded, however, that money and economic influence often contest this in the present style of politics that we have. But no matter how slick the grease is, once policy makers are confronted with “people power,” there’s little that can stop the tide of public pressure.

There’s also, of course, strategic alliance building, speaking directly to and persuading congressmen to support or oppose certain legislative measures, building alliances with like-minded groups or organizations with similar advocacies and stands. Petitions, press releases, media and propaganda actions also work, but none solely by itself.

Blogging and online social networking can only be effective if it translates into and aids in creating another form of action such as those previously mentioned, and if it ultimately leads to a concrete mass movement. I added, tens of thousands of pledges in Ako Mismo or in a Facebook Cause page will not win the support of the President or even a congressman. Thousands of warm bodies complemented by other forms of concrete actions, however, will.

Lastly, I believe there can be no effective lobbying through blogging and online social networking because the Filipino “blogosphere” or internet community does not reflect the true sentiment of the Filipino masses, majority of whom do not have regular, if any at all, access to the internet. It is at best, the voice of the privileged and shrinking middle class, influential but not decisive.

For someone who’s been blogging for almost a decade, it might sound shameful of me to seem to be belittling the political power of the internet, but really, one has to recognize the limitations of the virtual medium in order to achieve the fulfillment of an advocacy or cause beyond virtual reality. By all means, blog about your cause, as I do too, but do not limit yourself to it.

Anyway, after the interview, I invited the students to visit us in Batasan one of these days and witness plenary sessions themselves. Actually, if you want to watch committee hearings or sessions just message us, and we’ll find time to show you around.

POST-SCRIPT: To clarify, I think there are some causes where online lobbying can be highly effective. These are causes that are specific to groups which are technology savvy, like private school students, and issues that are relevant to information technology and communication concerns. For example, an advocacy to scrap internet censorship bills can be coursed successfully with great part through online campaigns.