The bill will be scheduled for discussion in the plenary session of the lower house.
Filipinos will soon toe the line on how the national anthem should be sung in public or how their flag should be displayed once a proposed law is approved.
The Committee on Education and Culture of the Philippine House of Representatives on Thursday approved House Bill 465 which prescribes stiff penalties for violators of the code to be followed on the use of country's flag, anthem, coat of arms and other heraldic devices. The bill will be scheduled for discussion in the plenary session of the lower house.
The crafting of the draft law came after lawmakers, musicians and officials of the National Historical Institute (NHI) raised a howl when popular singer Martin Nievera sang the national anthem to a different beat during the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton in May 2009. Party-list representative Teodoro Casiño likewise called for a congressional investigation to clarify the protocol on the singing of the national anthem.
Original arrangement
According to the NHI, singing the national anthem in a manner not in keeping with the original arrangement of its composer, Juan Felipe, violates the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which provides a jail term and fine for violations.
Felipe, a music teacher appointed by President Emilio Aguinaldo as Director of the national band of the First Philippine Republic, composed the national anthem to capture the spirit of the Philippine revolution against Spain — hence the martial beat.
"Congress has given more teeth to government's campaign to invigorate respect, patriotism and love of country, instilling in the citizens' consciousness the nation's history," said Sorsogon Representative Salvador Escudero III, chairman of the House Committee on Education and Culture, said.
Filipinos will soon toe the line on how the national anthem should be sung in public or how their flag should be displayed once a proposed law is approved.
The Committee on Education and Culture of the Philippine House of Representatives on Thursday approved House Bill 465 which prescribes stiff penalties for violators of the code to be followed on the use of country's flag, anthem, coat of arms and other heraldic devices. The bill will be scheduled for discussion in the plenary session of the lower house.
The crafting of the draft law came after lawmakers, musicians and officials of the National Historical Institute (NHI) raised a howl when popular singer Martin Nievera sang the national anthem to a different beat during the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton in May 2009. Party-list representative Teodoro Casiño likewise called for a congressional investigation to clarify the protocol on the singing of the national anthem.
Original arrangement
According to the NHI, singing the national anthem in a manner not in keeping with the original arrangement of its composer, Juan Felipe, violates the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which provides a jail term and fine for violations.
Felipe, a music teacher appointed by President Emilio Aguinaldo as Director of the national band of the First Philippine Republic, composed the national anthem to capture the spirit of the Philippine revolution against Spain — hence the martial beat.
"Congress has given more teeth to government's campaign to invigorate respect, patriotism and love of country, instilling in the citizens' consciousness the nation's history," said Sorsogon Representative Salvador Escudero III, chairman of the House Committee on Education and Culture, said.
