A Look at the Senatorial Candidate's Website (Part 2)

We continue to look at the senatorial candidate's official websites. In this blog the hotseat will be on Franklin Drilon, Teofisto Guingona III, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Guico.

Franklin Drilon (http://frankahan.com)

Information 5: This is a very personal site for Senator Drilon because it's a basic blog with a unique platform. He has so many things to say about various topics and he doesn't hold anything if he has some problems with some issues.

Interaction 3: Not much to do except to read the site and comment on his blogs.

Aesthetics 5: The best blog website I've seen so far. The iPhone like slides regarding his latest blogs is ingenious. You'll most likely browse through his articles and read what he has to say about various issues.

Highly personal, it's a recommended site for those who loves politics.

Juan Ponce Enrile: (http://www.jpenrile.com/)

Information: 5 - Everything you need to know about the very popular Senator is in this site. The site is not just on his previous roles as a senator but even when he is not part of the legislative branch of the country.

Interaction 2: Although the only interaction with has soem extra "forum" someone got the format wrong. A forum is composed of topics where every exchange opinion. The forum part of the site looks like a message board.

Aesthetics: 4 - The website background featuring his name in italics, official website and crimson red color is very unique. This really shows creativity on the site although that's the only thing that looks great in the site.

Pretty generic but well thought out although the forum in the site is a bit awkward.

Jinggoy Estrada: (http://www.senjinggoyestrada.com)

Information: 4 - There are so many things that you can read in the site but it's not updated. The "Jinggoy Speaks" page has very limited entry. Last entry in this part of the page was still in 2008.

Interaction: 2 - I may have missed it but there's no outside links that connects to various social networking sites. This is quite odd because most national candidates want to connect to Twitter, Facebook or Friendster.

Aesthetics: 3 - It's very generic and the borders are too wide. The green background will make you think you are visiting a boring website that didn't had a lot of changes.

The website is very generic and not updated compared to current candidates. Somebody do something about this site.

Ramon Guico (http://www.ramonguico.com/)

Information: 4 - because Ramon Guico is jumping from local to national scene, he has to use the internet to get his message across. Fortunately, he has provided enough information for those who wanted to consider him as part of their 12 senators. Photos and videos are not extensive but good enough. It's very good but the articles are not updated.

Interaction: 5 - Facebook, Friendster and other social websites are linked to this site. There's even a poll in the site where you can vote. There's even an area where you can sign up for the newsletter.

Aestehtics: 5 - The design looks great. Although not as great compared to Franklin Drilon, it's well thought out and time was spent designing the page.

Informative, the site offers a lot of things to first time users. They just need to update the articles for us to know more about the candidate.

Teofisto Guingona III (http://tgguingona.com/)

Information: 3 - Note to candidates: If you add a "blog" or any link to the page for unique information, make sure there's something in it for the readers. Mr. Guingona's site looks great but his profile is not extensive.

Interaction: 4 - links to outside sites and multimedia is very impressive in this site. Photostream and even tag cloud is in the site so that you'll know which topics are extensively discussed.

Aesthetics: 5 - The design is easy to understand and doesn't have that standard blog platform (like this site).

Great looking site but lacks additional information. Remove the blog or at least fill some articles on that part of the site.

Stay tuned for the next episode!

A Look at the Senatorial Candidate's Website (Part 1)

Honestly, I don't know a lot about our current senatorial candidates. And as a person who sits in front of the computer for more than 12 hours a day, all my information comes from the internet. So it's always a big plus for me if the candidate has an official website rather than getting things from Wikipedia or other sources.

But not every senatorial candidate has a website (maybe for now). Obviously, we'll skip them and we'll look for the first 5, in alphabetical order, the candidates who has an official website.

Please let me know if I skip a candidate :)

Neric Acosta (http://nericacosta2010.com/main/)

Information: 5 - Neric Acosta's website is very simple but has a lot of information and articles on what he thinks about a certain topic, legislation and platform. This really helps because it's a big jump for the guy as he's a former Congressman gunning for the rare 12 seats.

Interaction: 3 - Not much can be done on the site except to read the articles, watch some videos and click on links to the site of LP, Noynoy, Mar and a Volunteer movement. Oh, there's a catchy jungle in the lower right side.

Aesthetics: 3 - it's not the best website in the world but it's very readable and easy to understand.

Conclusion: a good enough website for those who wanted to learn more about the candidate.

Martin Bautista (http://www.martinbautista.com/)

Information: 3 - There are many things everyone needs to know about this guy. After all, he just came back to the country to help us as a Senator. That's a tall order and unfortunately, the website doesn't provide a lot of help. The blogs are quite extensive but aside from reaction to the news, nothing more. There is a small profile that will want the reader to seek for more.

Interaction: 3 - If you really dig in the website, you'll most likely find his Twitter and Facebook page. but aside from that, nothing more.

Aesthetics: 2 - The homepage is too long and the links to know more about him are simply additional links to site and they are located in the right side and in smaller fonts.

Conclusion: More information about the candidate (not just reactions) could be added to the site and a little revamp would do.

Ruffy Biazon (http://www.ruffybiazon.ph/)

Information: 5 - what you need to know about the guy you can get it here. He even posted his CV (aka Resume) in the website for everyone to scrutinize. One thing that caught my attention: he posted his speeches, resolutions and anything that he has done in the congress for the past 9 years.

Interaction: 4 - he has a forum which, unfortunately, do not have any posts yet. Links to his blogs, wordpress, Friendster and Facebook are also provided. His email address as well as official office address is even included.

Aesthetics: 4 - Maybe it's just me but the site seems a bit too imposing on other links. They do have great content but it is limited by the links to other sites.

Conclusion: great website for anyone who wants to know more about the candidate. Hopefully, his forums will have some questions for us to read.

Pia Cayetano (http://www.senatorpiacayetano.com/senpia/index.php)

Information: 5 - if you are asking for an information overload about a candidate, go to this site. But we're not complaining as the more information we can get, the better. Very extensive provide, information on what she did while in power and reactions to recent news.

Interaction: 5 - Sen. Cayetano's site is one of the rare political website that has a lower bar (like Facebook used to have). The bar allows you to click on various links including Twitter and Youtube videos.

Aesthetics: 3 - the color is ok but I think the website has placed too many things that it can't cater to everything. Still;, it's a great looking website.

Conclusion: this is Sen. Cayetano's personal blurt site which means you will know her personally when you follow this website. (P.S. She has other websites and the links are on her webpage)

(Note: for some reason, Bong Revilla Jr. was placed on my first 10 alphabetical list which is weird but I guess it happens on MS Excel sometimes)

Bong Revilla Jr. (http://www.ramonbongrevillajr.com/)

Information: 4 - my feelings are mixed with this one. I can learn more about the candidate especially his past life. It's a great article as it has mixed his life as an actor and a politician. But his current take on latest news is nowhere to be found. The latest info I can find is the Halili-Kho case which is already ages ago.

Interaction: 2 - it has some great points especially they placed some videos and resolutions on the past congress. But aside from the links, nothing more.

Aesthetics: 3 - the website looks the same compared to other candidates so you'll never be excited at first glance.

Conclusion: It's a good looking site but nothing new to offer.

Stay tuned for part 2!