Speak Out: In March tempo

THE National Historical Institute did the right move in contemplating filing charges against Journey vocalist Arnel Pineda for singing our National Anthem during the Pacquiao-Clottey fight contrary to what the Republic Act 8491 Chapter II Sections 37 and 38 mandate.

After my years of prodding the NHI and similar government agencies and officials including the legislature to strictly enforce the law, finally the NHI sent a letter prior to the fight to Pineda advising and guiding him to follow the right rendition in singing our Anthem. The letter even contained a website link where the correct rendition in audio can be heard. A copy of such letter should have been sent also to the Team Pacquiao because this team is the one who hired Pineda.

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But in spite of this reminder, Pineda still sang our Anthem his own way, his own rendition, his own version, which nearly lost his voice at the ending portion. The Anthem should have been sung in march tempo where the attending public can sing along.

Yesterday, after realizing the nationwide outcry, Pineda made a public apology on his slip-up. Knowing that Pineda had no intention in desecrating our Anthem, I would suggest that the apology is enough and the plan charges against him withdrawn. The Team Pacquiao should likewise make public apology.

The NHI should send similar letters to all the singers who unconsciously made mistakes in interpreting our Anthem during the previous fights of not only Pacquiao but also in all other events. The letters should contain stern warning that a repetition of the same will be severely punished accordingly.

This brouhaha always props up only during the fights of Paquiao. Let us not just be “ningas kugon” on the matter. Once and for all let us correct all other violations of the Republic Act. 8491, otherwise known as “An act prescribing the code of the national flag, anthem, motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items and devices of the Philippines” and make necessary amendments and take into consideration the following:

1. The law is specific on how to vertically hang our Flag on wall but is silent on how to hang it horizontally. (Chapter 1.B. Section 10)

2. The IRR of the law is clear on how to paste our Flag forwardwise in decal form on the sides of all aircraft of Philippine registry but is silent if this rule also applies on the sides of all other vehicles, and on uniforms, clothes, caps, hats, helmets and all other similar gadgets. The Zest Air planes seen flying the route Manila-Boracay bear our Flag at their left sides facing backward! (IRR RULE 3 Chapter I.B. Section 14)

3. The law prohibits wearing our Flag as uniforms or clothes but the government is doing nothing on the rampant practice of using our Flag as uniforms and sewing/pasting flags in decal/sticker and badge forms on clothes. This practice should now be allowed but regulated to avoid incorrect displays. (Chapter I.I. Section 34E)

4. If our Flag in small decal/sticker/badge form is to be sewed/pasted on the front side of a uniform or clothes it should not be anywhere but on the left breast over where the heart is located.

5. The law is silent on hanging our Flag vertically or horizontally on clear glass walls like on glass doors and glass windows. Hanging our Flag on clear glass walls defeats the rule No. 1 above when viewing the Flag at the other side of the glass. (Chapter I.B. Section 10)

6. The law is silent on sewing/pasting our Flag in decal/sticker and badge forms at the back of uniforms or clothes. Putting our Flag at our back is a sign of disrespect and desecration. The private medical team that helped recently in the rescue efforts in the Haiti earthquake wore uniforms bearing our Flag in coat-of-arms form at their back. (Chapter I.I Section 34.e.)

7. The law prohibits the pasting of letters, numbers and any figures on our Flag but flags bearing the words “PACMAN COUNTRY” were displayed during Pacquiao fights and the government did nothing about it. (Chapter I.I. Section 34.f.)

8. The law prohibits using our Flag as drapery but winning athletes are always being wrapped with our Flag over their shoulders full of grime, sweat and blood. (Chapter I.I. Section 34.c.1.)

9. The law mandates the removal of the Spanish lion and American eagle on our coat-of-arms, great seal and other government logos as these symbolize our subjugation by Spain and America but until now since the law was enacted in 1998 the government has not done this as these symbols are still present up to now. (Chapter IV Section 41 and Section 42)

10. Regulate the use of our Symbol in making private logos. The logo of the Philippine Basketball Association where the blue is at the right and the red at the left is in violation of Chapter 1.B. Section 10.

Once and for all, I call the attention of NHI to take the lead in writing a letter to Congress to amend the law to incorporate necessary changes to include the teaching of the law beginning in the primary schools so that respect in our Flag be inculcated in the mind, soul and heart of all the citizens. Amending the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the law is not enough.

Frank Mangulabnan
Chairman
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan
Pampanga Chapter
(BAYAN-PAMPANGA)