Senate still considering ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ circular

FOLLOWING DIRECTIVE Personnel from various government agencies recite the “Bagong Pilipinas” pledge at a gathering in Rizal Park two days before the country’s celebration of Independence Day last June 12. —Richard A. Reyes

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has yet to decide on the inclusion of the “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) hymn and pledge in the chamber’s flag ceremony.

While he sees no problem including it in the Senate’s flag rites, Senate President Francis Escudero on Sunday said “we are still in the process of having it studied by the Secretariat.”

“I have yet to receive their recommendation and/or comments,” he added in a message to reporters.

READ: ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ hymn, pledge now in flag rites

The House of Representatives, on the other hand, has already decided on this matter as it issued a memorandum dated June 26 enjoining all its departments and offices to recite the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge in its monthly flag-raising ceremony.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 4 issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 52, directing and encouraging all government agencies, local government units (LGUs) and state educational institutions to integrate the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge in their flag ceremonies.

Critics of that directive said it echoed the “Bagong Lipunan” (New Society) hymn of the martial-law regime of Marcos’ father and namesake.

The House memorandum, in accordance with MC 52, noted that “Bagong Pilipinas” is described as a government that is “principled, accountable, and dependable, supported by cohesive societal institutions.”

Flag Law

The new hymn and pledge aim “to empower Filipinos to actively support and participate in comprehensive government initiatives, fostering profound and fundamental social and economic transformation across all sectors of society and government,” the House directive said.

In a previous interview, Escudero said that while he was not against MC 52, “the right way [to introduce the new hymn and pledge] is to amend the Flag and Heraldic Code and include it.”

Escudero’s father, the late lawmaker and agriculture minister Salvador Escudero III, was the principal author of the Flag Law (Republic Act No. 8491), enacted in 1998.

The Senate leader also noted that the President’s order only applied to the executive branch.

“It does not automatically cover the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court, and other constitutional commissions,” he said, adding that they are only mandated to follow what is stated under the Flag Law.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III agreed with Escudero that the memorandum circular “is not sufficient. I believe a law is needed in order to authorize that.”

On the other hand, Sen. JV Ejercito said the national anthem and the oaths under the Flag Law were “more than enough to instill nationalism and love of country.”

Among the critics of the President’s order were teachers’ groups, who noted that the singing and reciting of the hymn and pledge would only consume more time, otherwise better spent holding classes. Others questioned the legality of MC 52.