My cameo appearance came courtesy of the International Herald Tribune.With regards to the discussion on English and Filipino, Philippine Commentary elaborates his points.  In my opinion, blackshama’s blog has the last word on the subject.  I think he points out the real issues at hand, and how the debate can move forward in a productive, and effective, manner.

The latest snafu involves more problems with the comment thingamajig.  Technical Supremo Abe Olandres suggests readers subscribe through Feedburner, so you can get entries even if the blog itself isn’t available.  So sorry for technical difficulties.The foreign media has started to take notice of the coming elections, though today’s two examples show they’re relying too much on conventional wisdom and not doing enough spadework when it comes to developments on the ground.

“Empires of the Word: A Language History of the World” (Nicholas Ostler)

Just discovered there’s a barangay named after my father: Bggy.  Quezon, Jr.  in Ormoc City, Leyte.

My column for today, The Pleading before the Supreme Court.Randy David’s views.The views of Conrado de Quiros.The views of Patricia Licuanan.  See also the views of Juan Miguel Luz, formerly of the Department of Education, in ‘English First’ policy will hurt learning.My views on the English-Filipino debate were put forward in a column I wrote in November last year, Practical Languages.

Because the courts have finally relented and permitted the publication of interviews, I can post a discussion I had with Antonio Trillanes.  In it, we discuss his views on why he decided to run for the Senate, his views on what senatorial work entails, his opinions on counterinsurgency, the peace process, reforms in the armed forces, and so forth.  I’ve only edited out portions that, according to the guidelines of his lawyers, might be considered in the nature of sub judice commentary.

The President has accepted the resignation of the National Treasurer, and the bond market plunged on fears (according to Bloomberg) that the government might change its budget deficit plans….  Ricardo Saludo begins to lay the predicate for the results the Palace predicts in terms of the coming elections:Should 200 House seats go to the ruling coalition, that might be enough to block another impeachment bid.  If it also controls the Senate, the continuity of national leadership till 2010 would lay a solid foundation for social stability, investor confidence, and economic advancement, and not return the country to disruptive protests and politicking.The choice on May 14 is clear.Actually, what’s clear are the priorities of the Palace: it fears impeachment above all things.The Inquirer editorial says the Chief Justice is being combative out of necessity: most recently Chief Justice Puno’s raised the hackles of the Palace and the US Embassy.Bong Austero writes on moveable holidays: the President’s declared May 1 a holiday, but no “sandwich day,” alas, covering April 30; meanwhile, she’s also proclaimed Election Day a holiday (will that be good or bad for voters?)As Russia buried Boris Yeltsin, an op-ed piece by Nina L.

However, if he were to be elected to the House, he would have to leave the priesthood (there is an unclear story that says he has already been suspended from his priestly duties, but whether it’s a kind of leave of absence, or an ecclesiastical penalty, is what’s unclear):
 Canon 285, Sec.  3: Clerics are forbidden to assume public offices which entail a participation in the exercise of civil power.Robby Tantingco’s argued no one, not even the Pope, could stop Fr. Panlilio….  And Fr. Robert Drinan was elected to the US Congress five times and served there, until Pope John Paul II ordered him to leave office or leave the priesthood.

THE LONG VIEW Making political parties obsolete    By Manuel L. Quezon III Inquirer First Posted 02:35am (Mla time) 04/23/2007   MANILA,Philippines – We repeatedly hear that the political and every other condition of our country would improve if only we had strong parties with devoted, loyal followers, united by common aspirations and a well-developed [...]

In the New York Times Magazine there’s A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves by Jason DeParle (registration required to read the artlce), which takes an exhaustive and in the end, rather inspiring look at Filipino OFW’s.  There are the social costs of working abroad -and the social gains: surprisingly, some studies say children of OFW’s are better fed, even better adjusted, than the children of non-migrants; if there’s “brain drain,” there’s “brain gain”, OFW’s bringing home knowledge and connections; our bureaucracy is a model for other countries, though we often have nothing but bad things to say about it; it can build dependency, but also breed independence; if our culture has remained static over the centuries, it has breaking old habits and eliminating old limitations.