A STUPID LEGISLATION

I have always thought that every lawmaker has first and foremost amply researched on all existing laws that may be related to a new one he wishes to write.  I am afraid Bacolod Congressman Anthony Golez did not do that before he filed the bill he calls "Strengthening National Pride Act," PDI, 12/29/2012) which requires all malls and similar commercial establishments to play the Philippine National Anthem three times a day, in the same way they play Christmas carolss nonstop during the Christmas season.  Or maybe, he simply does not appreciate the difference between songs of reverence and songs for amusement.  . In either case I doubt very much his aforementioned bill will reach even first base in Congress.

Why?  Ah, simply because there are at least two (2) existing laws that Golez's bill will squarely contradict from the very outset.   The first is Republic Act No. 1265, providing that, during flag ceremonies, the national anthem may only be sung or played by the school band, or both.  In other words, any rendition from tape recordings -- such as what is true of Christmas carols or any other entertainment songs, for that matter -- is not allowed.  Or, with that, does Golez envision that malls would engage the services of a choir or bond to sing or play our national anthem three times daily, 365 days a year?

The other law is Republic Act No. 8491, otherwise otherwise known as "The Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines."  Strictly speaking, this law does not also allow the taped rendition of our anthem.  Further, it provides that whenever the National Anthem is played in any public gathering, whether by a band, by a choir, or both, the public shall simultaneously sing the anthem and, as a sign of respect, reverence, patriotism and national pride, all persons shall stand at full attention and face the Philippine flag if there is one deisplayed and, if none, shall face the band or the conductor, or the singing choir.  Then, at the first note, everybody shall execute a salute by placing his right palm over his left chest.  Given these regulatory circumstances, I cannot see how requiring malls to play, through sheer tape reditions, of course, the national anthem three times a day in all  malls, as Christmas carols presently are being played during the holiday season, without the people at the malls feeling awkwrd or kind of embarrassed, instead of manifesting the same respect and reverence that they do when, for example, they are singing the "Our Father" in the canticles of the holy mass. Finally, the law does not only forbid the singing or playing of the anthem for mere recreation, amusement or entertainment --such as the Christmas carols and all other popular songs are -- but also specifically allows it to be played only in the following places and/or occasions:  (a) International competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a participating representative; (b) Local competitions; (c) Before the initial and last screening of films and before the start of theatre presentations; (d) During the "signing off" and "signing on" of broadcasting stations; and (e) Other occasions as may be allowed by the National Historical Institute.

Indeed, I refuse to believe -- alas, it's a monumental pity, if true -- that Cong. Golez really knows nothing about the foregoing regulations.  Maybe, just maybe -- as, truth to tell, many so called (dis)honorable congressmen do -- he merely did not want to see the present Congress eventually closing without a record  of a bill he had authored, regardless of how laughable or stupid that bill might be.