SENATE is an independent co-equal branch of the government, says the two-member minority bloc, alluding to a memorandum circular compelling national government agencies and educational institutions to play the Bagong Pilipinas hymn and oblige government employees to make a pledge as part of the weekly flag ceremonies.
During its plenary session, Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel III insisted that the senate should not be forced to comply with what he aptly described as “invalid” Malacanang circular which only covers government offices under the executive branch.
“I was informed that this morning, the Senate officially adopted the singing and the recital of the Bagong Pilipinas hymn and pledge in our flag ceremony,” an obviously pissed off Pimentel lamented.
“‘Di na nga tayo kasali doon, actually nag-volunteer pa tayong sumama. Invalid na nga, ‘di tayo covered, sumama pa tayo,” a sarcastic senator added.
Unveiled in 2023, the Bagong Pilipinas hymn projects the Marcos administration’s “brand of governance.”
Under the memorandum circular, Marcos ordered all national government agencies and instrumentalities, including state universities and colleges (SUCs), to adopt the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign in planning all their programs and activities; and use its logo in their letterheads, websites, official social media accounts, and other documents and instruments pertaining to flagship programs of the government.
Citing Republic Act 8491 (Flag and Heraldic Code) Pimentel said that such law was enacted “so that nothing is added to nor subtracted from what is sung or recited during the flag ceremony.”
According to Pimentel, RA 8491 does not grant the Office of the President “carte blanche in the determination of what shall be sung or recited during the flag ceremony.”
“This is because the law itself has already mandated what should be sung and recited.”
He further claimed that an amendment of the RA 8491 is the only way that the administration can compel the singing and the recital of the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and pledge could be mandated.
Aside from Pimentel, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros likewise finds it rather absurd for the Senate to heed Marcos’ circular which basically covers agencies under the executive branch.
“Huwag po sanang lumawak na sa kabila noong mga adbokasiya tungkol sa pagkakaisa ay lalong paghati-hatiin yung mga tao dahil ipipilit ang isang konsepto na hindi naman tanggap pa ng lahat lahat,” Hontiveros said.
“Galangin po natin ang pagkakaisa ng lahat…at huwag po natin subukang dagdagan o ipalit ito ng ibang awit o himno at ibang panata na ‘di po napagkasunduan o napagkaisahan ng lahat di tulad sa nakapaloob sa batas,” she averred.
Interestingly, Senate President Fracis Escudero in June noted the need for the Flag and Heraldic Code to be amended if the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge is to be formally become part of all events in the country. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
