MAILBOX: Coloma reacts to Chanco column

Dear Sir:

On Aug. 16, 2010, we opened the official website and Social Networking Sites of President Benigno S. Aquino III. This was in consonance with the President’s mandate, as expressed in Executive Order No. 4 that created the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). The PCOO is mandated to establish a channel for citizen feedback.

For almost three months, the President’s Facebook account within the official website co-existed with the Noynoy Aquino campaign website that was established by Mr. Ben Totanes and Ms. Betty Abrantes.

On Nov. 8, 2010, we became aware that Facebook management had disabled the erstwhile campaign website and made possible the migration of a large number of its followers to the President’s official website. This action was taken by Facebook management to implement its policy stating that “only the official representative of an organization, business, celebrity, or band may create a Facebook Page.”(http://www.facebook.com/help/?page=904)

There is another policy of Facebook management which states clearly, “If you would like to create a Facebook presence for a celebrity or organization, and you are not officially authorized to do so, please create a Facebook group instead, as this may be created and maintained by any user.”

It is clear from the foregoing policies that Facebook management seeks to minimize confusion that may arise from the existence of more than one Official Facebook Fan Page for a public official – in this case, for President Aquino.

While it is true that the PCOO requested Facebook management to disable the campaign website and to enable the migration of a large number of the followers of the former campaign website, it must be emphasized that it was Facebook management – not the PCOO – that implemented these actions in accordance with its stated policies.

These policies were formulated by Facebook management in order to ensure discipline and orderly behavior by those who participate in social networking. Cyberspace is governed by democratic principles and Facebook management has taken responsibility to enforce its rules accordingly.

We recognize and honor the contribution of Ben Totanes, Betty Abrantes and all the volunteers who painstakingly established and grew the BSAIII Facebook Fan Page during the last campaign.

It is not true that “after the elections, Mr. Totanes offered the site to Coloma on the condition that reader comments will not be censored. Indeed, it contained critical comments of the Aquino administration, a feature that adds to the credibility of the website.”  In fact, Mr. Totanes never made such an offer.

What he offered was for members of the PCOO New Media Team to serve as co-moderators. We did not agree to this offer for co-moderation where we had no administration rights on what may be allowed to be posted on the President’s Facebook fan page.  

Our main concern was about the real possibility of confusion arising from official-looking postings that are actually not the official position of the President, but could have been made to appear official because an administrator posted it.

Evidently, Facebook management – after monitoring developments for almost three months – realized that indeed the continued co-existence of both the President’s official website and the campaign Facebook page may have sown confusion, thereby prompting its eventual decision to disable the campaign website.

It is also not true that the PCOO New Media Team screens out or censors negative comments. Anyone may visit the President’s website anytime and find out indeed negative comments are posted. During the aftermath of the Aug.23 hostage crisis, the President’s website was virtually deluged with negative comments. None of these were censored. Only the use of cuss words and profanity was curtailed, also in accordance with Facebook management policy.

We reiterate our willingness to continue working with Mr. Ben Totanes, Ms. Betty Abrantes and the volunteers that worked for President Aquino’s election.

We wish to emphasize that President Aquino’s official website is an inclusive page. We value the free expression of diverse opinions which, after all, is an essential element in a vibrant democracy like ours.

Secretary HERMINIO ‘SONNY’ COLOMA

Presidential Communications Operations Office