Manila: Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino said he is encouraging government agencies to use social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to combat crime and corruption, answer criticism and to be closer to his people.
In a press conference, Aquino said grafters and smugglers could be shamed through the social networking sites, apart from using them to announce plans and respond to criticism.
Through Facebook and Twitter, government agencies could get feedback from the people, Aquino said, adding that the sites could give also five them access to government officials.
On Monday, the Philippine Supreme Court joined Facebook and Twitter where it could announce rulings on cases.
Midas Marquez, spokesman of the Apex Court said the plan will make the Supreme Court "more accessible to the people."
Marquez added that "it aims to bring the court closer to the people and give them real-time updates, news, programmes and projects of the Supreme Court."
Its website, sc.judiciary.gov.ph, which uploads decisions, press releases and speeches delivered by the Chief Justice, has a link to its Facebook account. Its Twitter account is http://www.twitter.com/KorteSuprema.
It was the brainchild of recently appointed Chief Justice Renato Corona whose appointment was denounced by critics as a "midnight appointment" by then president Gloria Arroyo in her final weeks in office.
