Senator wants tighter rules on changing government logos
Sen. Nancy S. Binay (Photo from the Senate Pubic Relations and Information Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Nancy Binay has apparently had enough of arbitrary changes of logos in government agencies and wants the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to have its say on the matter.
Binay on Tuesday filed Senate Bill No. 2384 seeking to put in place rules and standards for the creation and changing of official seals and logos in government agencies to ensure that any change is not merely due to officials’ whim.
“The rebranding and changing of logos should not be taken lightly. We need to ensure that official seals and logos convey national ideals and traditions that express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity,” she said.
SB 2384 seeks to amend Republic Act No. 8491 (Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines) and set the rules on the “creation, modification and registration” of official seals and other heraldic items and devices of government entities.
Binay said her bill was prompted by recent controversies that hounded the changing of logos and slogans by government agencies, as well as changes in the designs of the country’s paper bills.
She cited how the latest change of campaign slogan for the Department of Tourism drew flak after its promotional clip supposedly used stock footage featuring sights shot in other countries.
A change of corporate logo for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. also drew scrutiny not only for its design and rationale. A call for investigation over the project cost, reportedly worth P3 million, was made in the House of Representatives last month.
Binay did not mention it in her bill, but last month, Malacañang also launched the “Bagong Pilipinas” brand of governance, along with the use of a new logo.
President Marcos ordered all agencies to use the new campaign logo on the letterheads, websites, official social media accounts, and other documents and instruments pertaining to flagship programs of the government.
Rebranding
“We have seen in recent days a string of rebranding efforts or changing of logos of government agencies. While I am sure that they have made some studies relative to this,
I believe that the [NHCP] should have a permanent role in this redesign process,” she said.
“The presence of the NHCP will ensure that the logo of a government agency is appropriate and executed well,” Binay added.
Under the proposed bill, any government entity, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, may adopt appropriate coat-of-arms, seals, logo, insignia, badges, patches, banners and initiate awards, citations, orders or decorations, through a law passed by Congress or an order by the President.
In all instances, all such government symbols should be recommended and approved by the NHCP.
“Official seals and logos of government offices embody our national ideals, sentiments, and aspirations. They are a means of strengthening people’s nationalism, love of country, and pride for people’s accomplishments,” Binay said in her explanatory note.
Binay also expressed her dismay over the recent redesign of the P1,000 bank notes, which took out the portraits of José Abad Santos, Josefa Llanes Escoda, and Vicente Lim, who are regarded as heroes of the resistance against the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.
