‘If you can play carols, you can play the anthem’

Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez (www.congress.gov.ph photo)

If shopping malls can play Christmas songs all day long, they should have no problem playing the national anthem three times a day.

Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez made this statement as he filed a bill mandating commercial establishments and government offices to play the national anthem in the mornings, at noon and in the afternoon every day, in order to strengthen Filipinos’ national pride.

In his explanatory note to the measure, Golez said people lead fast-paced lives nowadays and they need to be reminded about love of country through the daily playing of the anthem.

He said the “Lupang Hinirang” is the “great symbol of the pride and honor that Filipinos have for their country.”

Hearing the national anthem played in government offices, shopping malls and other commercial centers is expected to rekindle the national pride of Filipinos, especially those who work abroad and are in the country for a vacation.

“If Christmas songs and advertisements are played in public places, it will not be a burden for malls and commercial centers to require them to play the ‘Lupang Hinirang’ three times a day,” he added.

Under Golez’s bill, known as the “Strengthening National Pride Act,” the “Lupang Hinirang” would be played in the Office of the President, the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court three times a day at 10 a.m., 1 p.m.  and 4 p.m.

Shopping malls and commercial centers would also be required to play the anthem during operating hours at the same time every day.

The President would also designate which other government offices would play the national anthem in their premises thrice a day, considering the transactions the public has with these offices.