debate on the senate in “tagalog” ?

I would like to comment though that our national language is Filipino, not Tagalog. In pratice, they are similar, but Filipino has Foreign words imbedded in it (for example, bintana for window is Filipino, but durungawan is the Tagalog term for it). Like everybody else who responded, I also think it fitting to debate in Filipino, and I commend Mr. Lapid for admitting that he can't follow some part of the discussion in English. However, I don't see the need for requesting everyone to speak in Filipino. I believe a senator has a freedom to choose the language to use in his speech, English was never mandatory.

true that debate should be in "Tagalog" dialect because there is no reason for us to speak it in English Languages.... We have to show to ourselves and to the whole world that we Filipinos are truly an Independent Country... and not dependent on the foreign English country by learning their Native English Languages... Everytime that the Foreigner visit our country, those gabriela doesn't want to allow Foreign Visitors, therefore, we should not allow to speak their native language also... it is like sending them away to us, while grabbing their native English languages and never give attention our very own native Tagalog language...

Why not? It would be fun watching that, i am not that keen in tagalog but i know how to speak it but there are terms that are also deep for me to understand, it would be fun watching and i know i would end up asking my husband about it! hahaha Since he is from Luzon, he is a lot more keen in speaking Tagalog than me who is born and raised here in Mindanao. It would be fun fun fun

Tagalog, English or the combination of both are all acceptable. What's important is that both the pros and cons are able to express their opinions and ideas without being hindered by the language. It's also important that the people will be able to understand the debate since they are the ultimate recipients of bill.

I don't see the essence of this debate why it must be in english or in tagalog. The only important I know on this part is " SETTLE THE DEBATE ASAP and settle the Pending concern on RH Bill ". English Zone Policy should only be applied in Call Center not on this RH Bill concern. Do they need Interpreter in order to settle the RH bill concern. Its been ages

I think this is a terrific idea. I think this will encourage all common folk to participate in viewing these hearings.

i would also love to see that debate and any other deliberation in the senate, congress and even in our courts to be in either Tagalog or Taglish. i guess it is about time that we let the less fortunate people to learn this foreign language understand what our lawmakers and judges and other legal people are saying, so like me and senator lapid could have better understanding of what they are saying.

We are all Fipinos and living in the Philippines so there's nothing wrong using Tagalog while having debate in the senate. I just dont know why every time I watched news with regards to senate meeting, I always heard them talking and debating in English. I agree with you that Tagalog should be use so that all people in the Philippines will understand what they have in the meeting. Taglish could also be one of the option.

Good day Simplyd, With reference to your main topic discussion, having used of the Tagalog words in a senate debate is fine since we are here in the Philippines. Wherein, we should really used our own mother tongue so everybody will comprehend what is being discuss inside the senate. Although we cannot avoid the fact, that almost all of our politicians are using english words in every conversation that they are into.

I dont think there are anything wrong with his request. Common Filipinos understand Tagalog better than English. The issue involves the masa, so it is just proper he uses the language that he is more comfortable in using.

Now, this is going to be exciting. I just wonder how the Philippines will be observed by nations that do not understand Tagalog? Other countries are also observing the country. Businessmen for one, all observe what is happening in the Philippines before they will even consider investing. I do not think they will be interested anymore to observe if from the very start they will be having a hard time understanding the language.

Yes i think it is better to speak tagalog on the debate on the senate. Not all caan understand english specially those who are illiterate. And those who understand english can also understand tagalog because they are filipino.

hi there im from Philippines too.. yeah that would be cool debating with the use of our own language it is a win win situation for those who cant speak and comprehend much in English, Taglish as well can be of help too for the English words that is difficult to translate. and in this case a lot of individual can participate in this said debate.. hope they could have a concrete solution about that RH bill..

I also agree with you. If you speak tagalog it doesn't mean that you are poor or uneducated, it only shows that you are patronizing your own language like in Japan MOST their products are written in Japanese romanji-kanji and so on, also in Spain their establishments were written in Spanish like one of the world bank branch in Spain is called Banco del mundo ^^. There's nothing wrong in using our mother language in any debates as long as we are Filipinos.

IT SHOULD BE! We are Filipinos in the first place this is national debate not a Ms. Universe beauty pageant. Unless if debaters are from another countries. I can't see anything wrong if Tagalog will be used in debate. In the first place being fluent in English wouldn't make us intelligent nor smart and that is not also a basis to branded us as educated person. If there are terms that is hard to translate it in Tagalog of course I also agree that they must use the English terms to understand more.

I think Tagalog and English or Taglish is acceptable. It is for the Filipino people to understand more of their opinions and thoughts. Sometimes a lot of people are not that interested with debates since it is in English and they can't understand it that much. If it is in Tagalog, some participants will be able to express it better. And a lot of the audience can relate and understand the topic.

I so agree with this! What's wrong in using Tagalog (or even Taglish) when in a debate? Having it in Tagalog makes it easier for everyone (media, officals, audience, "masa") to understand. That way, everyone can relate to it. Why use English in the first place? It's not like you're in a foreign country with foreign people while debating. The reason why you debate is to prove that your ideas are correct. How can you express yourself if you can't even share your thoughts well? What's the use of a debate when everyone can't relate to it? What's important in a debate is the content and the ideas. It's how people accept your thoughts and view them. Not how well you speak in a certain language. Let them speak in Tagalog anytime! I'm sure fellow Filipinos will appreciate it.

Hi SIMPLYD! I definitely agree with you. There is nothing wrong in having a debate in the senate using our very own national language. If some senators have problems speaking in Tagalog or Pilipino language then they can always mix some English words. I think it would benefit of the masses as well so that they will understand what the debate is all about. Besides, it is the people who voted them to their position so it is also their responsibility to keep the Filipino well-informed. I admire Pres. Noynoy Aquino's speech that was done in Tagalog. Many people understand what his government is doing and this is very important that the Filipino people who voted for him understand where his administration is heading. The senate people should follow his example too.

Yes, why not.Besides, i'm sure it can make their discussion really understandable not only by them but also by whole Philippines.Don't care if other country could not understand them, after all it's our very own issue.

They should! I think the only Senator that is fluent in English is Mirriam Santiago. The rest are Carabao and trying hard English. There is nothing to lose if they debate on Tagalog language. Besides most Filipinos doesn't speak English though some understands English.