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‘To sing of Bagong Pilipinas’, legislate first
By Nidz Godino
“I suggest executive branch submit bill containing those ideas, to amend existing law governing national anthem, pledge and flag-raising ceremonies…memorandum circular is not sufficient… I believe law is needed in order to authorize that,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said Malacañang’s directive to integrate singing and recitation of “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge into weekly flag ceremonies of national government agencies and instrumentalities needs law.
Malacañang has ordered national government agencies and instrumentalities and encouraged local government units (LGUs) to integrate singing and recitation of “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge into their weekly flag ceremonies.
Memorandum Circular 52, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, seeks to “further instill principles of ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ brand of governance and leadership among Filipinos.”
Palace directed heads of all national government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations and education institutions, to ensure “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge are properly disseminated within their respective institutions and offices.
Presidential Communications Office was also tasked to implement measures to communicate and make available hymn and pledge to all government agencies and public.
Pimentel said policy “involves way of thinking of people…hence, such mandate must emanate from people’s chosen representatives, their legislators.”
“Also, notice MC involves SUCs ,state universities and colleges… students therein are not even government employees…they all observe established flag ceremony under existing law,” he pointed out.
For Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, question in MC includes “whether that is only for executive branch or for everyone because judiciary and legislature are separate, so we need to clarify that as well.”
Senate Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada explained insofar as laws are concerned, singing and playing of Philippine National Anthem are governed by Republic Act 8491.
Section 38 of RA 8491 stipulates whenever national anthem is played at public gathering, it must adhere to musical arrangement and composition by Julian Felipe. Attendees are also expected to sing anthem with fervor.
“It’s important to note MC 52 is neither illegal nor irregular; rather, it aims to foster culture of good governance and progressive leadership across all government levels,” Estrada said.
“It is no different from singing of Senate, school and university hymns, way to remind us of patriotism and unity of us Filipinos,” he stressed.
On the other hand, law professor Mel Sta. Maria of Far Eastern University declared memorandum on “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge is “in violation or goes beyond mandate of RA 8491” or Flag and Heraldic Code, and that Office of the President “just transgressed law which it claims it is implementing.”
Sta. Maria called MC 32 “coercive memo.”
Meanwhile, teachers are opposing Malacañang’s directive to require schools, national government agencies and instrumentalities to sing and recite “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge in weekly flag ceremonies, calling it move “reminiscent of political propaganda tactics seen during martial law years.”
Directive is impractical, unnecessary and has nothing to do with educating students about nationalism and patriotism, according to Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC).
“This initiative is superficial attempt to instill brand of governance, instead of genuinely educating schoolchildren about nationalism and patriotism through exemplary lives of our national leaders, resorts to mandatory recitations and songs,” TDC said in statement yesterday.
“True nationalism and patriotism cannot be enforced through hollow rituals or blind worship of national symbols, let alone piece of propaganda,” it stressed.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed last week MC 52, as approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. , aims to instill principles of “Bagong Pilipinas.”
TDC pointed out that the administration does not need to force its own brand of governance and should instead work genuinely in interest of Filipinos to “truly inspire and educate youth.”
“People in power have duty to be responsive and responsible, exhibiting genuine love for country through their respect for human rights, adherence to rule of law and active fight against corruption,” TDC said.
“They must foster social justice through meaningful actions and legislation, not through forced singing of propaganda song and recital of pledge appears redundant… best way to teach our children about nationalism and patriotism is to show them leaders who lead by example, demonstrating their commitment to the country through their actions, policies and dedication to public service,” it added.
TDC also stressed national anthem is enough to remind students of their duties to the country.
Meanwhile, Civil Service Commission (CSC) saw nothing wrong with directive as, aside from Marcos’ having prerogative to enforce his policies within executive branch, instilling “positive values and virtues” to ensure everyone in government is aligned with administration’s goals.
“If this is tied with new Philippine Development Plan, then I don’t see what is wrong with ensuring that everybody in government is aligned with goals and principles being pushed for by administration,” CSC Chairman Karlo Nograles said at press conference.
While CSC is not required to follow Malacañang’s directive on hymn and pledge recital, Nograles noted he would speak with rest of CSC commissioners about implementing it.
Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND) also opposed new Malacañang directive, saying it may be unconstitutional.
Citing law experts’ opinion, CONTEND said RA 8491 or Flag Law “does not provide Office of the President authority to create and require new hymn to sing or pledge to recite during flag ceremonies in the country.”
CONTEND added introduction of “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge is reminiscent of “dark chapter in our history, glorifying era that brought suffering to countless citizens.”
“Bagong Lipunan’ of Marcos dictatorship in ’70s was period marked by severe human rights violations, suppression of dissent and economic hardship for many Filipinos,” group said.
“We challenge all educators to resist this unconstitutional move by Marcos Jr. and instead underscore historical truth and principles of nationalism and democracy in our classrooms and research,” it added.
Some government offices in the City of Manila played the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge during flag-raising rites.
Manila LGU and Manila Police District (MPD) played soundtrack of “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn.
MPD personnel recited in unison “Bagong Pilipinas” pledge following pauses by leader at MPD headquarters.
At LGU’s flag ceremony held at Kartilya ng Katipunan Shrine beside Manila city hall, leader recited on her own new pledge with right hands of attending personnel raised.
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