House panel to criminalize incorrect rendition of ‘Lupang Hinirang’

Saturday, June 13, 2009 Manila Times

House panel to criminalize incorrect rendition of ‘Lupang Hinirang’
By Frank Lloyd Tiongson, Reporter
Improvised singing of “Lupang Hinirang” may soon be considered a criminal act.The House committee on basic education and culture, chaired by Rep. Del de Guzman of Marikina, announced the passage on third and final reading of the measure proposing to criminalize the incorrect rendition of the National Anthem. The bill imposes two-year imprisonment and a fine of P100,000.
Rep. Salvador Escudero 3rd of Sorsogon said once the bill is enacted into law, deviating from the musical arrangement of composer Maestro Julian Felipe Felipe when singing “Lupang Hinirang” will be 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.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro, co-author of the bill, said the National Anthem shall be within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 2/4 beat when played and in 4/4 beat when sung.
“The National Anthem is a marching-type tempo wherein the Filipino participants are obliged to sing,” de Guzman said.
The bill also requires all government and private offices as well as Filipino residences to display the Philippine flag from National Flag Day (May 28) to Independence Day (June 12) of each year, declaring it the period as Flag Days.
Reacting to the style of singing of Martin Nievera during the Hatton-Paquiao fight on May 3, 2009, Rep. Teodoro Casiño of Bayan Muna said there was need to correct some misconception that anyone can sing the national anthem in his or her preferred style.
Casiño filed last month 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.
The co-authors of the bill are Reps. Eduardo Nonato Joson (First District, Nueva Ecija), Carlos Padilla (Lone District, Nueva Viscaya) Jesi Lapus (Third District, Tarlac), Mariano Pia­monte (Party-List, A TEACHER), Candido Pancrudo Jr. (First District, Bukidnon) Maria Isabelle Climaco (First District, Zamboa­nga City), Roilo Golez (Second District-Parañaque City), Philip Pichay (First District, Surigao del Sur), Jaime Lopez (Second District, Manila), Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado (First District, Bulacan) and Isidro Ungab (Third District, Davao City).
The lawmaker noted that Nievera was not the first artist who has sung the national anthem in a different style and tempo. “There were other artists who were already criticized for singing “Lupang Hinirang” in their own preferred mood or tempo,” Casiño said.