November 13: Electronic Filing and Payment System coaching session

DigitalFilipino E-Commerce Boot Camp is organizing a free Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) Coaching session in partnership with itPhilippines.net.

This session is for non-eFPS entrepreneurs, professionals, self-employed individuals and mixed-income earners who wants to avail of eFPS. You are invited to this rare event. Limited slots only.

The event is also open to those who are not yet ready to use the eFPS but would like to learn more about it.

(Reference: Overview of the Electronic Filing and Payment System)

Agenda includes:

1. Introduction to eFPS and how to navigate through the site.
2. Fill-up the online enrollment form
3. Fill-up a tax return online and/or pay taxes
4. Get to submit your enrollment form online
5. and many more...

 And, you will get to meet:
1. The Accredited Agent Bank (AAB) for e-payment
2. The BIR Operations Group / eFPS Project Proponent on tax-related issues and concerns

If interested, please sign-up here (if you can't see the form below).

Note that joining means that you intend to use the eFPS.

Cut-off: 30 attendees.

Please expect confirmation via Facebook. (only fill up the form if you are sure that you can make it as we confirm your attendance.)

Janet Lim Napoles, Benhur Luy, Merlina Sunas, accused Lawmakers: Due Process, Safety, and No Special Treatment

I would like see Janet Lim-Napoles, whistle-blowers, and all the legislators accused be given due process. Her, Benhur Luy, Merlina Sunas safety guaranteed to go through the trial process and make the parties responsible accountable.

What transpired last August 21 at the Luneta to call for the abolition of PDAF and immediate arrest of Janet Lim-Napoles proves that Filipino Internet users are influential especially if they use social media for the country's benefit. However, Filipinos, being emotional, can also get passionately carried away and be impatient with the process.

Special treatment and threat to greater mass action

Yesterday morning, I overheard a radio interview (unsure what station it was) about a report coverage on the kind of quarters, food served, and other amenities provided for Napoles. They mentioned tweets about it being an over-kill. Then there was a radio phone-patch interview (can't recall the person's name now) who sounded like "threatening" the government for a greater mass action if the case will not be handled properly.

Maybe it is just me but I find threats as a form of intimidation that does not benefit anyone. If more, it turns off people who only wants to see this government proceed with proper action while actively listening to the people's concern.

Patience, Due Process, and Benefit of the Doubt

Listening to Professor Clarita Carlos interview last Saturday (Bottomline with Boy Abunda) made me realize the need to remain calm. I agree with her that the mishandling of PDAF by some of our lawmakers has made Filipinos expect less from persons in power. 

The expose on how the parties involved benefited from it has pushed Filipinos to be furious and sensitive on how the government is handling the situation.

But I hope that we will also put value on the effort government is doing to address this. President Aquino indefinitely suspending the release of PDAF is a good start. 

In due time, a new system is necessary where the people will benefit the most from it (and without giving any government official the opportunity to get a commission from it).

I also hope that the media will be cautious in stirring the emotions of people. At times, I felt like malice is being insinuated on how some of the media portrays Napoles manner of surrender and the actions taken by the government to guarantee her safety.

But like any case in court, there is due process that needs to be followed. I don't want to fall in a magician type of trick where the more you focus on one subject, the more you missed out. Never again.

The Napoles issue is an extra-ordinary case that directly reflects on how the people's money was handled in the past years. The lives of Napoloes, Luy, and Sunas are threatened at this time. The kind they have inflicted upon themselves because of the people's anger and those who benefited from greed of money.

Vigilant Filipino Netizens

The healthy exchange of opinions and ideas in social media, I hope, will continue and can lead to a hands-on generation of Filipinos who wants more progressive developments in the country. 

A clean government. The one who will put the taxpayer's money into good use. 

Bloggers as Digital Influencers

Last May 31, 2013 I gave a talk at #iblog9 about "Bloggers as Digital Influencers". Here are the things I shared then.

1. Bloggers need to have a clear perspective of their goals and aspirations. (slide 2)

Creating a Personal Business Model Canvas can help in this purpose. Know who you want to help, what value can you give, how will you build relationships, potential returns, investment you have to make, and partners to collaborate with. This will give you a bigger sense of reason for being a blogger.

Make a personal business model canvas for yourself today.

2. Reach, Resonance, and Relevance. (slide 3)

In Altimeter's "Rise of Digital Influence" (page 10), Brian Solis discussed the 3 pillars of influence. Bloggers need to build their reach and relevance through quality content and connecting with readers who will need it. With the right combination of both online and offline activities, their content will echo through word of mouth and social sharing.

3. What kind of an Influencer will you be? (slide 4 to 6)

How do you want to be known for? How do you want to be perceived? Who do you like to attract? Social media users go beyond the content of the people they get exposed to. They will look at you as a full package. Remember that likes begets like. What you project is whom you will attract.

4. Build your social media presence. (slide 7 and 8)

Most social networks now allow you to verify your personal identity and the site you own. Get this done earlier on and not wait for others to misrepresent you.

5. Choose your battles. (slide 9)

Depending on the kind of content you produce, it is likely you will find yourself entangled in issues later on. There will be people as well that you won't be able to please. At the end of the day, it is all about competition (where you could either compete, beat, ruin, or join your opponents).

This is the point of view I have whenever there are attacks that are unreasonable, unverified, speculative, or based on hearsay from their circles against anyone.

Remember that any attack that is posted in the public view is not meant for peaceful resolution or dialogue. It is designed for a debate meant to win the crowd. If your relationships are strong on the ground (reach, relevance, resonance), people will simply compare your purpose as influencers.

Also, deciding to engage in public debate is a matter of choice. Will this help you achieve your bigger objective (slide 2)? In my view, if it doesn't, move forward. I believe in what Robert Greene said in one of his books, "stay away from negative people".

6. Build movements. (slide 10)
What has allowed me to last long as an individual content publisher or blogger is my focus on communities or movements. They are usually small and targeted (100 close contacts).

Don't get too wrapped up on big numbers. Focus on quality of relationship rather than quantity.

7. Be competitive. (slide 11 and 12)
Your biggest competition will always be yourself - not others. Focus on "doing".

Bloggers as Digital Influencers #iblog9 from Janette Toral

"Is this what you call professionalism?"

"Is this what you call professionalism? Is that your way of correcting of my wrongdoing by deactivating my site?" asked by a blogger whose specific blog post I filed a complaint for copyright violation.

This blogger republished an article of mine in full. As there were no contact details posted on his blog, I left a comment asking the blogger to edit his blog post, limit to one paragraph, and link to my site for the full story.

My comment was later on approved but no action taken by the blogger after 24 hours.

I eventually decided to contact Wordpress by filing a DMCA request asking for that specific blog post to be taken down.

Upon review of my request, Wordpress deactivated not the blog post - but the entire site.

The blogger eventually reached out through my contact form and asked for time to work on my request. He also asked why did I have his site deactivated (followed by the two questions I shared at the start of this post.).  It amuses me how the blogger was apologetic for what he has done but at the same time accusing me of wrong doing.

Lesson learned: Don't take copyright violation action request for granted. Provide means for contact beyond your blog post comment section.