Many Filipino bloggers are on the move, agreeing to cooperate more formally, and taking steps to exercise their right to form a national organization.

It is an organization open to all Filipino bloggers, regardless of where they live/study/work and of the topics they write about. It is for bloggers who wish to work more closely with other bloggers to cooperate on common objectives, projects and initiatives. A manifesto — basically a statement of intent  – summarizes what we wish to do and why. If you want to join, please read the manifesto and sign up.

But if you haven’t decided yet, here are some 10 questions and answers about this “national bloggers association”:

1. Are you trying to form a mandatory national association of Filipino bloggers?

No. That idea of a mandatory association is not only impossible but bad for blogging. We have not made such a proposal. From Day One, what we have clearly proposed is for a voluntary organization of Filipino bloggers, wherever they may be.

2. Then, why choose the name “National Bloggers Association”?

We have not decided on the name of this future organization. The phrase “national bloggers association” is a descriptive phrase of what the kind of organization we wish to form – an organization with members coming from across the country as well as those from abroad. Members will decide on the name of their organization.

3. Are you out to regulate blogging or to represent bloggers?

No. Bloggers and blogging cannot be regulated by anyone, not even government and especially not by any bloggers association, local or national. This organization’s main objectives are all about promoting blogging and protecting the right to free expression.

The organization will represent its member-bloggers as provided for in its rules. It can only represent its members. Nothing stops its member-bloggers and non-member bloggers from having their own, separate and even opposing views.

4. What’s this talk about your proposed organization coming out with a Code of Ethics?

That is a proposal shared by those who have signed the manifesto. We feel that it is important and a sign of maturity to have such an agreement on a set of principles to protect bloggers, their readers and their communities. For example, many bloggers have found it important to place disclosures and disclaimers – that is a positive sign.

5. How will your future organization affect your members and non-members?

This future organization – its fate, constitution and by laws and all its activities – will be decided by its members. We would most probably register with the government as a non-stock, non-profit organization. Members will elect its officers who will lead and represent the organization. As with any organization, those who freely join it know fully well that they have both rights and duties as members. The future organization does not aspire to interfere with the blogs, personal lives and professional choices of any and all its members, but our participation in this organization means we agree to cooperate and to work together based on common principles.

Non-members should be able to sleep soundly at night. They won’t be adversely affected in any way by this future organization. :)

6. If you think that your proposed organization is good and not harmful to blogging and bloggers in the Philippines, why are there so many negative reactions and criticisms?

That’s part of the beauty of blogging. We bloggers are jealous of our blogs and our rights to free speech and to free expression. Nothing is wrong with that. I am personally in favor of jealously and vigilantly guarding our rights so we could continue to blog freely about any or all the topics that come to mind.

There are obviously honest differences in opinion. For instance, I have friends who are totally against any form of organization. That is their right and we are not forcing them to change their minds. Neither are we forcing anyone to become a member.

Unfortunately, there are misconceptions about the kind and scope of the organization that we propose. Despite our clear and repeated explanations that the organization we wish to form is a voluntary in membership and that we are not out to represent everyone except our members, there are some who continue to allege and make it look like we’re out to get them and you. That’s simply not true.

7. Could you give examples of positive things to come out of your proposed organization that will benefit your members and even non-members?

One thing is the Code of Ethics. It will be a project of the organization that aims to benefit its members. The members will be there to help draft and finally decide on it. As much as we possibly can, we will consult all those interested in a Code of Ethics especially if they wish to give their advice and inputs. We also won’t stop them if, later when it is adopted by organizations and members, other bloggers would also make them as their own.

There have been suggestions from those who wish to join the future organization that we keep tabs of all proposed bills that may affect blogging and free speech. I personally see that as a good idea. Laws affect all of us as citizens, regardless whether one is a member or non-member of any organization, blogger or non-blogger. If the leaders and members see that a House or Senate bill, or a local ordinance, needs to be looked into, the organization may of course form a committee that will study it and make recommendations. We will share whatever we would find with the rest of the blogging community and the public.

We also have this suggestion that will be both a fun thing for bloggers and a way of helping make use of blogging to promote the Philippines online and overseas.

We also have a soft spot for newbies. Newbies are the future of blogging. The organization will be a good venue for the young ones and once young to come and learn together.

There are many other suggestions.

8. They say the age of social media has changed the rules of the game, with citizens becoming more empowered to express themselves and that we could already cooperate on a short-term basis through social media for many goals. In short, any bloggers organization is unnecessary – what is your take?

Members of this future organization are all bloggers and I honestly think that is enough of a basis for us to come together into this group. We share blogging as a common denominator. We should respect those who have made such a decision to exercise their right to form an association, in the same way that we respect those who have different ideas.

Many of the events and developments in and about blogging have been met by bloggers through organizations that are informal and temporary working groups, task forces and committees. Bloggers have also formed organizations of all types in many cities, provinces, and regions. Whether temporary or regional, those are organizations that have given bloggers in many instances plenty of benefit.

The initial salvo of reactions also included positive comments from non-bloggers who view the formation of an association good for blogging. Those are important and valid views too.

9. Do you think the blogging community in the Philippines is ready for your idea of an organization?

We would have been disheartened had the proposal been met with total silence and indifference. But the reactions, including the most critical and at times not-so-accurate ones, only inspire us to pursue this initiative. We honestly think that behind all our colorful and vibrant diversity and differences, we Filipino bloggers also have many things in common and that we have been friendly to one another, ready to help when it is needed, ready to debate when we see fit, ready to cooperate, and ready to act together. I invite bloggers who share this outlook to join us.

10. What are the next steps?

There are talks and meetings being arranged with a number of bloggers’ organizations in the Visayas and Mindanao. Those interested in joining this future organization have signed up and we are continuing to invite other to join us. In short, the discussions and consultations continue. Let us not allow prejudgments, misconceptions, fears and sometimes – vested interests and loyalties – to determine the fate of this proposal. Let’s give this a chance.

Soon there will be meetings to draft a constitution and bylaws for the organization, the assembly for discussing and approving it, the election of officers, the mapping out of plans, and hopefully sooner than later, the start of doing what we hope would be good things beneficial to our members and their community of readers.

We hope you’ll be part of all these. Click here to sign up now.