Wanted: A referendum on the national language
As if we didn't have enough troubles in enacting laws that seem to be so unenforceable or unimplementable, I read a news report that the House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading the measure updating the rules on the correct rendition of the "Lupang Hinirang", which now requires everyone to sing along when it is played in public. This was one law that I have never heard of anyone charged for violating it!
This amended law dubbed House Bill No. 5224 also seeks to impose stiff penalties of P50,000 to P100,000 on "any person who, or entity which violates any provision" of the proposed law much heftier than the P5,000 to P20,000 fine provided for by the current Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines. Under the amended measure, singing along when the anthem is played at public gatherings "shall be mandatory and must be done with fervor." It should be noted the current flag code, enacted into law way back in 1998, did not use the word "mandatory" when it directed public attendees to sing along during gatherings. I guess at that time karaoke bars were not yet in vogue unlike today.
This amended law demands that all persons must stand at attention facing the Philippine flag, if displayed, or the band or conductor; civilians salute the flag with their right palm over the left chest. However, the amended house bill provides some kind of leeway for people whose religious beliefs prohibit them from singing. The current flag code did not contain any provision, while the House measure states these people "must, nonetheless, show full respect…by standing at attention."
The spirit in amending this House bill was to standardize the proper rendition of Lupang Hinirang in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe: "in 2/4 beat when played, and within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 4/4 beat when sang." The National Historical Commission of the Philippines is also mandated to disseminate an official musical score sheet to reflect the correct way of singing the anthem.
In this day and age under the Duterte Administration, where Binisaya is now openly spoken within the halls of Malacañang Palace and where no less than Pres. Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte is proposing a Federal form of government, it just makes me wonder if "standardizing" this amended law would not penalize the members of the Rotary Club of Cebu (Mother) Club or the Province of Cebu in singing the Lupang Hinirang in its Cebuano version, the "Yutang Tabunon"?
Yes, Rotarians sing it proudly in Cebuano and with fervor. The problem perhaps lies in whether or not the proponents of this amended House Bill No. 5224 called for a public hearing for this measure. Frankly speaking, singing the Lupang Hinirang in its original version is the Tagalog version of our national anthem. But should we criminalize Cebuanos, Maranaos, Chavacanos Ilocanos, or Ilonggos if they would sing it in their respective native tongues?
If you ask me, the amendment of House Bill No. 5224 should not be passed into law until these important issues are resolved by the House of Representatives. Again, it highlights one of the glaring issues that mar our democratic way of life, when non-Tagalog speakers are "forced" to speak a language that they were not born into. I dare say that there are more native Cebuano speakers than Tagalog speakers if you looked into the demography of our population.
In the headlines of the Philippine STAR last Monday, it blared, "Rody: Faith will see us through." This was taken from the speech of Pres. Duterte who called for national unity during the Muslim holiday Eid'l Fitr. Now how can we achieve national unity if by law, Cebuanos are prevented from singing the "Yutang Tabunon?"
If singing the national anthem in Cebuano becomes a criminal act, then this law is at best faulty! So this brings us to the nagging question about the national language. Most of us are told it is Pilipino. But as you all know, no one is born speaking in "Pilipino". It's either you are born a Waray, Cebuano, Bicolano, Batangueño, Ilocano, or a Maranao. Again, I dare say that we should have a referendum on what should be our national language because spoken Pilipino is in reality the Tagalog language!
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