PI to RP to PH

The Manila Bulletin♠ has this little item on how officials in the Philippine Government are trying to change the shorthand RP (for Republic of the Philippines) to PH, to conform to "international standards":♥

Instead of using RP, which is the acronym for the Republic of the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and its Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) will now use the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) initials PH or PHL when referring to the Philippines.

This is in accordance with DFA Department Order No. 16-10 dated October 20 issued by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo which directed 67 Embassies, 23 Consulates General, and four Permanent Missions to use the initials PH or PHL.

Here is a more humorous take on this subject, from the same newspaper.

For those who ask, "Who cares?", I respond that I found it interesting and amusing.  For one thing, I meet the criteria to be a member of The Military Order of the Carabao, although I have been negligent in not filling out the paperwork.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  The Manila Bulletin is now offering some of the news in 3D on its web site. 
♥  Are these the same "international standards" folks who want us to go metric, but can't figure out a metric clock or calendar?