EDITORIAL
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday asked Filipinos to celebrate the freedoms they and the country enjoy, including the freedom of territory and sovereignty as well as the freedom to promote one’s culture and preserve one’s heritage.
The President, in a video message, made the call as the country kicked off Monday the weeklong celebration of the Philippines’ 126th Independence Day.
“Ngayong Hunyo ay ipinagdiriwang natin ang Buwan ng Kalayaan. Napakahalaga at makabuluhan itong selebrasyon na ito para sa ating mga Pilipino. At kung may araw na talagang lubos na pinaghahandaan natin at makikibahagi tayo, ito iyung araw na iyon (This June, we are commemorating the Freedom Month. This is an important and significant celebration for us Filipinos. If there is a day that we fully prepare and we participate, this is that day),” he said.
Marcos said the country continues to fight and defend its freedom, 126 years after the declaration of its independence.
“Kalayaan sa iba’t ibang aspeto ng ating pagka-Pilipino. Higit dito, kalayaan sa ating teritoryo, soberanya. (Freedom in various aspect of being a Filipino. But most of all, freedom of our territory and sovereignty),” he said.
The President said the Philippines continuously monitors the situation and meets with other like-minded nations to seek cooperation and support in pursuing our rights and welfare.
To celebrate Independence Day, Marcos asked the public to display the Philippine flag and participate in national causes. He also urged Filipinos to continue to enjoy their freedom and practice and promote one’s culture and preserve one’s heritage which would be showcased during this week’s Independence Week celebration.
Interestingly, one of the ways Filipinos might inculcate love of country is the directive by President Marcos for all government offices, schools and other government facilities to recite the Bagong Pilipinas Pledge and sing the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn during their flag ceremonies.
Only a few hours after this order, Sen. Koko Pimentel came out with a comment saying a law is needed to mandate the singing of the Bagong Pilipinas hymn during flag ceremonies. The senator believes that the Office of the President’s Memorandum Circular No. 52 issued on June 4 is not enough.
“I suggest that the Executive Department should submit a bill containing those ideas to amend the existing law governing the National Anthem, Pledge and Flag Raising ceremonies,” Pimentel said.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, on the other hand, said that MC No. 52 is neither illegal nor irregular, and said it aims to foster a culture of good governance and progressive leadership.
“Walang pagkakaiba ito sa pagkanta ng Senate, school, or university hymns na isang paraan para ipaalala ang pagiging makabayan at pagkakaisa nating mga Pilipino,” Estrada said.
For Senate President Francis Escudero, the order applies only to the Executive branch. The Senate, House of Representatives, Supreme Court, and other constitutional commissions are not required to adopt this hymn and pledge in their ceremonies. Sen. Francis Tolentino, meanwhile, said the directive’s specifics, including its effective date and scope, need further clarification, especially concerning whether it applies solely to the executive branch or extends to the judiciary and the legislature.
While the little argument on the Bagong Pilipinas hymn and pledge continues—in the Senate, the House, in public plazas and on the internet—this should not deflect us from celebrating our Independence Day tomorrow, June 12, the proper way.
One way is to watch and applaud the 22 beautiful floats from different provinces that join the Kalayaan Parade at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila.