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Congress approves penalties on acts desecrating flag, National Anthem and other heraldic items

Singing the National Anthem in various styles or desecrating the Philippine flag would soon be a criminal offense following today's approval by the House of Representatives of House Bill No. 10323, "An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and Other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines."

The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture, chaired by Rep. Roman Romulo (Pasig) sponsored the floor deliberation of the Committee Report 1276, the consolidated measure seeking to protect the National Anthem, the Philippine flag, and other heraldic items and devices.

"Congress has given more teeth to government's campaign to invigorate respect, patriotism, and love of country, instilling in the citizens' consciousness the nation's history and, as a nation, a reminder to continuously struggle for justice, equality and freedom which the national flag, anthem, motto, coat-of-arms, and other heraldic items and devices signify," Escudero said.

Romulo said the respect accorded the use of the National symbols form the base of good citizenship and must be reiterated and strengthened.

Under the measure, violators face a fine of 100,000 and imprisonment of two years.

The bills approved by the housing body is a consolidation of House Bill Numbers 1095 or "An Act Amending Section 24 of Republic Act No. 8491, otherwise known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines" authored by Rep. Ron Salo (Kabayan), House Bill No. 2748 or "An Act Strengthening the Rules on the Proper Use and Display of our National Symbols and the rendition of the national anthem, repealing for the purpose Republic Act No. 8491, otherwise known as the 'Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines' authored by Reps. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro) and Evelina Escudero (1st District, Sorsogon).

"The increase in penalties could create awareness of the citizens' patriotism and nationalism, to Filipinos of all ages," Rodriguez said.

"Some violations usually happen in cinemas where moviegoers do not even stand up when the National Anthem is being played," Rodriguez said.

The bill empowers the security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens' arrests.

The measure also requires all citizens to stand at attention and sing with fervor, as a sign of respect, when the National Anthem is played at a public gathering.

Romulo said the measure intends to polish the conceptual outline of the law for clarity. "The bill now has more teeth. It aims to update the law in the light of contemporary changes in attitudes and idioms."

Prohibited under the measure are the various Interpretations of "Lupang Hinirang" which deviates from the musical arrangement of the composer Maestro Julian Felipe.

Under the bill, the National Anthem should be sung in a marching-type tempo, within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 4/4 beat and 2/4 beat when played.

Using the Philippine flag and other heraldic items and devices as an advertising tool for political or private purposes, and as clothing or fashion accessory other than prescribed shall also be prohibited.

The National flag, anthem, seal, motto, coat-of-arms, and other heraldic items and devices, are not to be mutilated, defaced, defiled, trampled on or cast contempt, or commit any act or omission casting dishonor or ridicule upon it.

The flag may be used to cover the casket of the honored dead of the military, veterans, national artists, and of civilians who have rendered distinguished service to the nation, as may be determined by the local government unit concerned, but not to be lowered to the grave or touch the ground, and shall be folded solemnly and handed over to the heirs of the deceased.

The measure also requires all government and private offices as well as Filipino residences to display the Philippine flag from May 28, the National Flag Day to June 12, the Independence Day of each year, declaring the period as Flag Days.

Under the bill, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines shall be responsible for the strict enforcement of the measure and shall submit the implementing rules and regulations to the Office of the President and Congress of the Philippines and may include other acts or omissions which shall be deemed disrespectful, relative to the flag, national anthem, great seal, coat-of-arms, the national motto, and other heraldic items and devices.

House approves on final reading revised PH flag and heraldic code

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading the proposed "Flag and Heraldic Code” of the Philippines, which aims to amend Republic Act No. 8491.

The lawmakers voted 200-6-1 on the measure or House Bill No. 10323.

House lawmakers said the amended law was made in light of contemporary changes and to instill a love of the country.

The law would also underscore the importance of complying with standard expressions of respect for our national symbols, they added.

Here are some of the bill's key provisions:

The bill expands the definition of important terms and prescribes the design of the national flag and provides for standards for flag requisition.
It mandates the hoisting and display of the flag and expands as well the coverage of government institutions and other places where the flag should be displayed.
It expands the coverage on places where the flag should be permanently displayed.
It prescribes the standards on the display of flags in private buildings and residences and on seafaring vessels.
It prescribes the standard protocol when the Philippine flag is flown or displayed with another flag.
It prescribes the proper use, disposal, and replacement of worn-out flags.
It provides for the appropriate time for flag raising and lowering as well as the manner of displaying and hoisting the flag.
It prescribes the manner of displaying the flag, including its hoisting.
It mandates the observance of flag-raising ceremony in public offices and educational institutions every Monday morning and the flag-lowering ceremony every Friday afternoon.
It provides for the mandatory singing of the national anthem during the flag ceremonies in all government offices and educational institutions.

The revised measure also expanded the coverage of government officials and personnel for whom the flag shall be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on the day of the official announcement of the death of any of the following officials:

The president or a former President
The incumbent and former Vice President
The incumbent and former Chief Justice
The incumbent and former President of the Senate
The incumbent and former Speaker of the House of Representatives
The incumbent and former members of the Supreme Court
The incumbent and former members of the Cabinet
The incumbent and former members of the Senate or the House of Representatives
The incumbent and former elected LGU officials
The incumbent school teacher and school administrator

Aside from these, the measure also provides that the flag may be used to cover the caskets of specific honored dead, either mandatory or discretionary for their distinguished service to the nation.

It also prescribes the appropriate pledge of allegiance and oath of patriotism to the Philippine flag.

The measure likewise declares the period from May 28 (National Flag Day) to June 12 (Independence Day) of each year as Flag Days during which period all public offices, business establishments, institutions of learning, and private homes are obligated to display the flag, including the following:

April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan)
Last Monday of August (National Heroes Day); November 30 (Bonifacio Day)
December 30 (Rizal Day)
and on such other days as may be declared by the President or local chief executives.

It also expanded the coverage of prohibited acts for the inappropriate use, display, and handling of the flag, anthem, seal, coat-of-arms, motto, and other heraldic items and devices.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

The proposed law, according to the lawmaker, also prescribes the national anthem, its language and lyrics, the manner of singing, and the rendition of the national anthem in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.

It mandates the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to ensure that the national anthem, as adopted by law, shall be committed to memory by all students of both public and private educational institutions, and rendered during the flag ceremony conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations issued by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

The House will submit the bill to the Senate for its approval.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/17/21/house-oks-on-final-reading-revised-flag-and-heraldic-code