Improvised singing of “Lupang Hinirang” may soon be considered a criminal act.
The House committee on basic education and culture, chaired by Rep. Del de Guzman of Marikina City, announced the passage on third and final reading of House Bill (HB) Number 6424 or the measure proposing to criminalize the incorrect rendition of the National Anthem. The bill imposes two-year imprisonment and a fine of P100,000.
Rep. Salvador Escudero III of Sorsogon said once the bill is enacted into law, deviating from the musical arrangement of composer Julian Felipe when played and singing the national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” will be considered a crime punishable under Republic Act No. 8491 or Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines signed on February 12, 1998.
“This measure proposes to prescribe standards with respect to the singing of the National Anthem, protocol and display of the flag,” Escudero said.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro, co-author of the bill, said the National Anthem shall be within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 2/4 beat when played and in 4/4 beat when sung.
“The National Anthem is a marching-type tempo wherein the Filipino participants are obliged to sing,” de Guzman said.
The NHI, in coordination with the proper government agency, shall disseminate an official music score sheet that reflects the manner in which the national anthem should be played or sung.
When the national anthem is played, the public is required to sing and do so "with fervor."
They are expected to sing while the right hand is placed over the left chest. Uniformed personnel, meanwhile, are to salute the flag as prescribed by their respective regulations.
Individuals whose faith prohibit them from singing “Lupang Hinirang” must still show full respect.
The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played and sung preceding “events of recreation, amusement, or entertainment purposes."
But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; national and local sports competitions, during the “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations, before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances; Provided, that the owners and management of the establishments shall be mandated to enforce proper decorum and implement the pertinent provisions of this act; and other occasions as may be allowed by the NHI.
The Oath of Patriotism (Panatang Makabayan) must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in basic educational institutions. The Pledge of Allegiance (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) may be recited as well, though the law did not specify who is required to do so.
In Section 20 of the bill states: “The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing and mandatory singing of the national anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”
The bill also requires all government and private offices as well as Filipino residences to display the Philippine flag from National Flag Day (May 28) to Independence Day (June 12) of each year, declaring it the period as Flag Days.
Reacting to the style of singing of Martin Nievera during the Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton fight on May 3, Rep. Teodoro Casiño of Bayan Muna said there was need to correct some misconception that anyone can sing the national anthem in his or her preferred style.
Casiño filed last month House Resolution 1137, calling for an inquiry into the correct manner of singing the National Anthem.
“The public should be enlightened that there is a law on how to show respect for the Philippine flag, the National Anthem, the great seal and other heraldic items because these are symbols of the Filipino spirit and national identity,” Casiño said.
The co-authors of the bill are Reps. Eduardo Nonato Joson (First District, Nueva Ecija), Carlos Padilla (Lone District, Nueva Viscaya) Jesi Lapus (Third District, Tarlac), Mariano Piamonte (Party-List, A TEACHER), Candido Pancrudo Jr. (First District, Bukidnon) Maria Isabelle Climaco (First District, Zamboanga City), Roilo Golez (Second District, Parañaque City), Philip Pichay (First District, Surigao del Sur), Jaime Lopez (Second District, Manila), Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado (First District, Bulacan) and Isidro Ungab (Third District, Davao City).
The lawmaker noted that Nievera were not the first artist who has sung the national anthem in abbreviated and a different style and tempo. “There were other artists who were already criticized for singing “Lupang Hinirang” in their own preferred mood or tempo,” Casiño said.
The House committee on basic education and culture, chaired by Rep. Del de Guzman of Marikina City, announced the passage on third and final reading of House Bill (HB) Number 6424 or the measure proposing to criminalize the incorrect rendition of the National Anthem. The bill imposes two-year imprisonment and a fine of P100,000.
Rep. Salvador Escudero III of Sorsogon said once the bill is enacted into law, deviating from the musical arrangement of composer Julian Felipe when played and singing the national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” will be considered a crime punishable under Republic Act No. 8491 or Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines signed on February 12, 1998.
“This measure proposes to prescribe standards with respect to the singing of the National Anthem, protocol and display of the flag,” Escudero said.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro, co-author of the bill, said the National Anthem shall be within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 2/4 beat when played and in 4/4 beat when sung.
“The National Anthem is a marching-type tempo wherein the Filipino participants are obliged to sing,” de Guzman said.
The NHI, in coordination with the proper government agency, shall disseminate an official music score sheet that reflects the manner in which the national anthem should be played or sung.
When the national anthem is played, the public is required to sing and do so "with fervor."
They are expected to sing while the right hand is placed over the left chest. Uniformed personnel, meanwhile, are to salute the flag as prescribed by their respective regulations.
Individuals whose faith prohibit them from singing “Lupang Hinirang” must still show full respect.
The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played and sung preceding “events of recreation, amusement, or entertainment purposes."
But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; national and local sports competitions, during the “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations, before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances; Provided, that the owners and management of the establishments shall be mandated to enforce proper decorum and implement the pertinent provisions of this act; and other occasions as may be allowed by the NHI.
The Oath of Patriotism (Panatang Makabayan) must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in basic educational institutions. The Pledge of Allegiance (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) may be recited as well, though the law did not specify who is required to do so.
In Section 20 of the bill states: “The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing and mandatory singing of the national anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”
The bill also requires all government and private offices as well as Filipino residences to display the Philippine flag from National Flag Day (May 28) to Independence Day (June 12) of each year, declaring it the period as Flag Days.
Reacting to the style of singing of Martin Nievera during the Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton fight on May 3, Rep. Teodoro Casiño of Bayan Muna said there was need to correct some misconception that anyone can sing the national anthem in his or her preferred style.
Casiño filed last month House Resolution 1137, calling for an inquiry into the correct manner of singing the National Anthem.
“The public should be enlightened that there is a law on how to show respect for the Philippine flag, the National Anthem, the great seal and other heraldic items because these are symbols of the Filipino spirit and national identity,” Casiño said.
The co-authors of the bill are Reps. Eduardo Nonato Joson (First District, Nueva Ecija), Carlos Padilla (Lone District, Nueva Viscaya) Jesi Lapus (Third District, Tarlac), Mariano Piamonte (Party-List, A TEACHER), Candido Pancrudo Jr. (First District, Bukidnon) Maria Isabelle Climaco (First District, Zamboanga City), Roilo Golez (Second District, Parañaque City), Philip Pichay (First District, Surigao del Sur), Jaime Lopez (Second District, Manila), Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado (First District, Bulacan) and Isidro Ungab (Third District, Davao City).
The lawmaker noted that Nievera were not the first artist who has sung the national anthem in abbreviated and a different style and tempo. “There were other artists who were already criticized for singing “Lupang Hinirang” in their own preferred mood or tempo,” Casiño said.
