The real question is whether rice can only be affordable if it’s of such miserable quality, or whether the government could provide quality but affordable rice.  Surely it can do both, though even as it is, the growing number of people who subsist on instant noodles (easier to prepare, etc.) shows just how relative the idea of affordability is.  Which raises a question: is pouring government funds into subsidizing poor-quality rice, the best way to support farmers and enable access to cheap food?Again, an article I’ve been wanting to point to, for some time: Rice “self-sufficiency” for whom?

THE LONG VIEW Nitty-gritty, compared with GDP By Manuel L. Quezon III Let me begin by correcting three errors inadvertently made in my previous column. The first two are that the first-quarter 2004 gross domestic product (GDP) growth figure was eventually adjusted from 6.4 percent to 7.15 percent while the second-quarter 2004 GDP growth figure [...]

His essay, the fruit of his research for a Master’s Degree in Sociology at Oxford, tackles the question of how different generations of the Chinese in the Philippines have approached the idea of integration into mainstream society.  He points out that Chinese Filipinos, and Chinese in the Philippines, are confronting this question all over again at present:THIS IS not intended to paint an overly rosy picture of the situation, though, and neither the ethnic Chinese nor the mainstream Filipino population should be lulled into a complacency regarding their situation.  The ideal of the ethnic Chinese who is integrated and thinks of himself or herself as Filipino while retaining Chinese cultural identity does exist, but so does the bigot who sees Filipinos as inferior and adopts a “sojourner” mentality and an instrumental attitude toward the Philippine economy.

This in turn brings up the pros and cons of impeachment, and the purposes of investigations, see this engrossing article, Carts Before Horses: Impeachment Inquiry First, Ask Questions Later:In other words, they say, no inquiry should commence until proof of the president’s guilt has been unearthed—proof which would, of course, make the inquiry superfluous!…  To wait for such proof subverts the whole purpose of an impeachment inquiry.The American debate is helpful, if only because it helps clarify some of the muddled thinking concerning things like impeachment and Executive Privilege here at home: at the very least, the American debates (often ferocious) demonstrates that there are different ways of tackling those issues; there may be a dominant interpretation, for example, but it can be said the dominant view hasn’t been supreme all that long, and may one day become a minority view.  Which is good or bad depending on how you view the dominant approach right now.In the news today are two upcoming Congressional hearings, one in the Senate, Senate to summon characters in scandal and ‘Hello Garci’ probe on; Ping wants Manila cardinal grilled (Amen to that!), ,and another in the House, House schedules question hour on national broadband deal.

A whole gaggle of headlines spoke glowingly of the Philippines: see Forbes.com, the Wall Street Journal, and Money Morning for examples (and why the news seems particularly cheery, can be gleaned from Bloomberg.com’s contrasting coverage of Thailand).

THE LONG VIEW Official figures aren’t carved in stone By Manuel L. Quezon III There is, apparently, a debate going on about the origin of the famous aphorism that there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. One source noted in a University of York Department of Mathematics website quotes Sir Robert [...]

No one will come to your aid The farce is over No one will aid youKatipunero 2: Help is arriving!Katipunero 2: It’s General Bernardo!Chorus: Our Bernardo’s a real prince The best stage actor He used to fight the might of the Moros Now he’s fighting for the FilipinoBernardo: France and England Holland, Spain Russia and Germany Portugal, Italy The kingdoms of all Europe are under my swordChorus: Our very own Bernardo’s a real prince A chivalrous man And a brave soldier, too The number one Of the forces of MagdaloBernardo: Who will never be subdued By Spanish strangers!Bernardo: I am Prince Bernardo!Jacinto: Thank you, Prince Bernardo For your not hesitating to come to our aid Despite your being close to the head of the Magdalo And my being a supporter of the SupremoBernardo: Partisan I may be of the Magdalo The disagreement in Cavite’s a passing thing And I am ready to help you Brother Pinkian Whenever you need my help I will assist you There should be no obstacles to brotherhood Chorus: France and England Holland, Spain Russia and Germany Portugal, Italy The kingdoms of all Europe are under his sword5….  Then the Supremo is executed, after having cursed Aguinaldo and having sung of how the Republic’s foundations were rotten from the start.General: It has been proven by this court that the Supremo Andres Bonifacio accumulated men and arms with the purpose of bringing down the Republic And that the President of the nation he aimed to kill The judges who recognize theese cases without objections declare him a criminal The verdict: He is to be put to deathOryang: Capitan Emilio I implore you Free my spouse He did no wrong Your imputations are all full of the same kind of liesAguinaldo: Senora, your spouse has been sentenced by the Court Let us respect the sentence Though that is not what I wished for Oryang (counterpoint): Brother Magdalo I implore you Pardon my spouse I will make up for Whatever shortcomings my beloved husband might have Bonifacio (counterpoint): In the worthless infancy of the Republic the beams are already being riddled with termites You will answer for your deed, treacherous comrades You will find no rest, this I vow this I vowAguinaldo (counterpoint): I will not allow the revolutionary ranks to be divided I will not allow the treachery of a scoundrel to prevail over the nation Jacinto (counterpoint): Remember the promise An oath is sacred Don’t destroy unity You are not the personification of the RevolutionChorus: Hearts are filled with dread that sense will disappear love for each other and respect for the least Freedom inherent With true support And on every face happiness has diedBonifacio: I warned you, Magdalo!Chorus: The torch of brotherhood 2×8.

…The life that was offered was not wasted There is a seedling of hope in every heart Lift up hearts They are waiting Your brothers who are part of a long journey Abaya:(Ilocano) Inak ikari manipud &c.Magbanua:(Ilonggo) Ihalad ko akon dugo kag buhi &c.Amal Pakpak:(Maranaw) Gagakusin ko a tidtu ababaya &c.All three: So help me GodBonifacio: What is your nom-de-guerre?Jacinto: My nom-de-guerre is Pinkian [Conflict]Bonifacio: My nom-de-guerre is Maypag-Asa [He who has hope]Jacinto: (speaking) Chorus: (at the same time) This the way then The torch of brotherhoodyou must listen is an offering of loveto our message to the genius of If you are able to see the selfa blue light Supporting the hand of justice It is leaving us with a true sign of the flag of freedombeing waved once moreImmediately, then, fire off This is our dreamthe cannons and guns However violent the Simultaneously bowing your heads darknessto the windIf that is the way to To a free meadowgreet with affection will our country beour very own banner bornJacinto: And we will create A noble nation With love for all And respect for the least Oryang: A home which will be filled With true mutual support Where every face Will glow with happiness Bonifacio: The torch of brotherhood Is the light of the nation Chorus: And we will create A noble nation With love for all And respect for the least A home which will be filled With true mutual support Where every face Will glow with happiness The torch of brotherhood Is the light of the nation Finis MLQIII December 15-24, 1996Appendices:I.

Everywhere that you would lookWas a bandit or a crookPeace and order was a joke‘Til Magsaysay pumasokThat is why, that is whyYou will hear the people cryOur democracy will dieKung wala si Magsaysay.Mambo, mambo MagsaysayMabu-mabu mabuhayOur democracy will dieKung wala si MagsaysayBirds they voted in LanaoAt pati Aswang pa dawAng election lutong macawTill Magsaysay showed them howMambo, mambo MagsaysayMabu-mabu mabuhayOur democracy will dieKung wala si MagsaysayWe tend to overlook in our present era of pop songs recycled and repurposed as campaign jingles, how revolutionary –and subversive- the Mambo Magsaysay was.A few years back I bought a Perez Prado album and in the liner notes, another Philippine president, Elpidio Quirino, did a cameo….  Or simply reflect on how the some of the worst aspects of Philippine-American trade relations were addressed through the Laurel-Langley Agreement, undertaken during the Magsaysay administration.But many other things helped endear Magsaysay to the public, and in a sense, the Americans did a great job in projecting themselves as the secret behind his success, though as in most things, the Americans took credit for something not entirely of their own doing.Magsaysay gained public confidence for the reforms he instituted in the armed forces.

…I believe that government starts at the bottom and moves upward, for government exists for the welfare of the masses of the nation.I believe that he who has less in life should have more in law.I believe that the little man is fundamentally entitled to a little bit more food in his stomach, a little more cloth in his back and a little more roof over his head.I believe that this nation is endowed with a vibrant and stout heart, and possesses untapped capabilities and incredible resiliency.I believe that a high and unwavering sense of morality should pervade all spheres of governmental activity.I believe that the pulse of government should be strong and steady, and the men at the helm imbued with missionary zeal.I believe in the majesty of constitutional and legal processes, in the inviolability of human rights.I believe that the free world is collectively strong, and that there is neither need or reason to compromise the dignity of man.I believe that communism is iniquity, as is the violence it does to the principles of Christianity.I believe that the President should set the example of a big heart, an honest mind, sound instincts, the virtue of healthy impatience and an abiding love for the common man.Doesn’t that say everything all classes of Filipinos want?