House bill criminalizes improper singing of the National Anthem

Soon, a fine of P100,000 and a two-year imprisonment awaits those who sings an improvised arrangement of “Lupang Hinirang.”

Rep. Del de Guzman of Marikina, chairperson of the House committee on basic education and culture annound the passage on third and final reading of the proposal to criminalize the incorrect rendition of the National Anthem.

It could be recalled that Martin Nievera’s rendition of Lupang Hinirang during created big news, which prompted Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Teodoro Casiño to file House Resolution 1137 calling for an inquiry into the correct manner of singing the National Anthem.

“The public should be enlightened that there is a law on how to show respect for the Philippine flag, the National Anthem, the great seal and other heraldic items because these are symbols of the Filipino spirit and national identity,” Casiño said.

He added that there is a need to correct some misconception that anyone can sing the National Anthem in his or her own preferred style.

Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero III added that once the bill is enacted into law, deviating from the original musical arrangement of Julian Felipe when singing “Lupang Hinirang” will considered a crime punishable under Republic Act 8491 signed on February 12, 1998.

“This measure proposes to prescribe standards with respect to the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, protocol and display of the Philippine flag,” Escudero said

We all know that Martin wasn’t the first artist who sang the National Anthem in his own interpretation, there were others before him who did the same. And unless a law is enacted against such practice, he won’t be last to do so.

And once it is signed into law, would there still be an artist, aside from Lea Salonga (the only one whose performance of the song was approved by the NHI), be willing to volunteer to sing on the next Pacquiao bout?