Tuesday, May 6, 2014

SEC orders Multiply to shut down operations

THE Securities and Exchange Commission ordered closed E-commerce and social networking website Multiply to stop its business operations.

As Multiply continued its business on Tuesday, the SEC issued a cease and desist order against the network.

The SEC said that Multiply to continue operating.

Once the government-run regulator receives Multiply’s response, the SEC will schedule the case for hearing.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/05/05/news/headlines/ntc-orders-abs-cbn-to-shut-down-operations/722798/

DepEd open to amending law on National Anthem

The Department of Education (DepEd) is open with the idea of amending the law regarding the proper way of singing the National Anthem in a way that it would be easier for students to sing it during events and flag-raising and lowering ceremonies.

Jonathan Malaya, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns, said the department wants some changes in the fast tempo of the anthem.

"It was meant to be a marching song that's why it is difficult for the students to sing it," Malaya said in an interview today.

Lupang Hinirang, the country's national anthem, has a two-fourths beat.

While the anthem must be sung in Filipino by default, it can be translated in other languages and dialects subject to the approval of the National Historical Institute.

When it is heard, stand upright, face the flag and place the right hand on the left chest while singing.

The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played preceding "events of recreation, amusement, or entertainment purposes."

It can be sung in 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 start and ending of day's work of employees in public and private offices, 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 Institute.

The Pledge of Patriotism (Panatang Makabayan) must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in basic education institutions. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) may be recited as well, though the law did not specify who is required to do so.

It shall be committed to memory by all students of both public and private educational institutions and employees of both government agencies and private companies, and rendered during the flag raising and lowering ceremony.

Malaya, however, noted that lawmakers may not approve such amendments because the current manner of singing the anthem "reflects certain historical essence."

Asked if the National Historical Institute was harsh or over-reacting in filing a complaint against singers Christian Bautista, Martin Nievera, La Diva and Arnel Pineda for rendering it in it's own version during the exhibition match of Gerry PeƱalosa and Bernabe Concepcion, Manny Pacquiao versus Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey fights, Malaya said it is up to the court to decide on the matter.

"Martin might not be aware of the law," Malaya said.

But Aguirre said the NHI did not pursue the case because it was also told by the OSG there is a problem with jurisdiction since the alleged violation was committed in the US.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) chief also said he is not aware of any case wherein a person was charged and convicted for violating this law.

But Aguirre clarified that there is no case filed yet against singers in the DOJ so he could not comment yet on the latter’s possible violation of law.

“I also haven’t watched,” he added.

He or she said violators face a fine of P5,000 to P20,000, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both at the discretion of the court: provided, that for any second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment shall always be imposed: further that in case the violation is committed by a jurdicial person, it's president or chief executive officer thereof shall be liable.

The Institute may prescribe in the implementing rules and regulations of this act other acts or omissions which shall be deemed disrespectful, and thus prohibited, relative to the flag, national anthem, great seal, coat-of-arms, national motto and other heraldic items and devices.

Any citizen shall have the power to conduct a citizen's arrest if a person is actually violating of any provision of this act in officers to assist in conducting citizen's arrest. All security personnel and ushers in movie-houses are likewise authorized to arrest the violators.

EDITORIAL - Martin should apologize to the nation

Maybe it is too much to ask that Filipino singer Martin Nievera be imprisoned for his atrocious rendition of the national anthem during the opening ceremonies of the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas last May 2.

But at the very best he should be summoned and admonished and told in no uncertain terms, so that other singers will be forewarned, that artistic license does not extend to the national anthem, meaning no one but no one is allowed to take liberties with its singing.

Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines it will be mandatory for students to memorize the anthem at schools and provides that “the rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.”

Felipe is the original music arranger of Lupang Hinirang in 1898. It has tune of march and the lyrics was adapted from the Spanish poem “Filipinas” written by Jose Palma only in 1899.

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 palm 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 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 or local sports competitions, during the “signing on” or “signing off” of radio and television broadcasting stations, before the opening and after the closing of work in government and private offices, 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 education institutions. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) may be recited as well, though the law did not specify who is required to do so.

Section 20 of the law also states: “The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”

The NHI may prescribe in the implementing rules and regulations of this act other acts or omissions which shall be deemed disrespectful, and thus prohibited, relative to the flag, national anthem, great seal, coat-of-arms, national motto and other heraldic items and devices.

Any citizen shall have the power to conduct a citizen's arrest if a person is actually violating of any provision of this act in officers to assist in conducting citizen's arrest. All security personnel and ushers in movie-houses are likewise authorized to arrest the violators.

But it it not just the law that is against the kind of singing that Martin Nievera did. There is also the matter of good taste and good sense. Anyone who heard Martin, and that means presumably the entire country, clearly did not like what they heard.

A national anthem symbolizes a country. That is precisely the reason why during very important international events such as the Pacquiao-Hatton fight, the national anthems of the home countries of the participants are always played.

Now what a sordid situation we would be putting ourselves in when the national anthem of the Philippines, the sacred hymn representing all 90 million of us Filipinos, is left to the whims and caprices of a single singer.

On whose authority did Martin Nievera decide to do what he did? Who gave him the permission to mangle one of the very first songs that all Filipino children are taught and told to memorize and learn by heart for the rest of their lives?

If Martin Nievera has little respect for his personal obligations, such as marriage, he should be told that respect for the national anthem carries with it a far more compelling and enduring obligation that does not get obliterated even in the changing moods of the times.

Or if Martin Nievera was trying to show the international audience the kind of artistic prowess he possesses, perhaps to lure them into watching his occasional shows in the US, let it not be at the expense of the national anthem.

Martin Nievera nag-sorry sa pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang

Humingi ng pauman­hin kahapon ang singer na si Martin Nievera sa pub­ liko kaugnay sa pag­kanta niya ng sariling bersiyon ng Lupang Hini­rang sa laban ni Manny Pacquiao kay Ricky Hatton sa Las Vegas, Nevada noong Linggo na inulan ng batikos.

Ito’y kasunod ng pag­sita sa kanya ng National Historical Institute na may paglabag sa batas ang ginawa niyang pagbabago sa tono at tempo ng pambansang awit.

“Sorry sa mga hindi nagandahan sa pagkan­ta ko at salamat na lang sa mga nagustuhan. Sa si­mula acapela ang kan­ta ko kaya lang sa parte ng may marchingtone, hindi puwede ang acapela kaya magkahalo,” ani Nievera sa isang panayam radyo.

Sinabi din ng actor-singer na nang kunin umano siya ni Pacquiao para umawit sa laban nito ay sinabihan siya ng Pinoy champ na bahala na siyang awitin ang Lupang Hinirang, depende sa istilo niya, kaya ang rendition niya ang narinig sa araw ng laban.

Aminado naman si NHI chairman Ambeth Ocampo na hindi niya napanood o narinig ang pag-awit ni Nievera noong Linggo dahil nasa provincial trip siya at nalaman lamang niya sa mga nagkuwentong na­ka­panood.

Ani Ocampo, kahit umano ilang beses na pi­naalalahanan ang ilang artists, patuloy pa rin umano sa pagbabago ng tono ang mga ito sa pambansang awit.

Dapat daw may marching tones ang pag-awit at 2/4 ang beat at 53 seconds base sa orihinal na composition at rendition ni Julian Felipe.

Kapag ito ay narinig, tumayo ng matuwid, humarap sa watawat at ilagay ang kanang kamay sa kaliwang dibdib habang inaawit.

Ito ay pwedeng kantahin sa mga pandaigdigang kumpetisyon na host ang Pilipinas o may kinatawan ang ating bansa; sa signing on at signing off ng mga himpilan ng radyo at telebisyon; bago ang pagbubukas at pagkatapos ng pagsasara ng oras ng trabaho ng mga emplyeado; at sa una at huling screening ng pelikula sa mga sinehan at bago simulan ang mga pagtatanghal sa teatro; Ibinigay, na ang mga may-ari at pamamahala ng mga establisimyento ay dapat na utusan upang ipatupad ang tamang pakikitungo at ipatupad ang mga may kinalaman sa batas na ito; At iba pang okasyon na maaaring pahintulutan ng Surian.

Ang Panatang Makabayan ay dapat bigkasin pagkatapos ng pagkanta ng pambansang awit sa mga paaralan. Ang Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas ay maaaring kabisado din, bagaman ang batas ay hindi tumutukoy kung sino ang kinakailangan upang gawin ito.

Ang sinong may karampatang parusa sa mga lumabag nito na babastusin, babaguhin o iibahin ang tono, gagawing katatawanan o hindi magbibigay galang kapag tinutugtog ang ating pambansang awit ay mahaharap sa kasong kriminal o administratibo at dapat na magmulta ng 5,000 to 20,000 pesos o isang taong pagkakakulong. Pero balak pagtaasan ng Kongreso ang parusa rito, at gawing 100,000 pesos o dalawang taong pagkakakulong.

Ang pagpapahintulot sa mga security personnel at sa mga usher sa sinehan na hulihin ang sinumang lalabag. Maari silang humingi ng tulong sa mga awtoridad sa pag-aresto sa lalabag.

Mukahin ng UP College of Music, sana raw ang National Historical Institute ang orihinal na bersyon at masusing ituro ito ng mga mangaawit na hindi na muli pagmulan pa ng kontrobersya.

Sa Section 20, nakasaad na “The rendition of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”

Si Martin ay mabagal sa una at masyadong bumirit sa pagtatapos na isa umanong paglabag sa Section 37 ng Republic Act No. 8491, o 1998 Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

Handa namang patawarin ng NHI si Nievera at paguusapan na lamanguma­no ang isyu. (Ludy Bermudo)

http://www.philstar.com/bansa/464347/martin-nievera-nag-sorry-sa-pag-awit-ng-lupang-hinirang