Former Senator Ping Lacson: “The Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines mandates reverence and respect at all times for the flag and anthem.”
PING LACSON – Former Senator Panfilo Lacson has issued a reminder for Senator Robinhood “Robin” Padilla about the mandatory respect for the Philippine flag and the national anthem.
It can be recalled that Senator Robin Padilla was caught on camera making a different hand gesture during the singing of the Philippine national anthem before the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos (PBBM) on Monday.
The senator was earlier seen placing his right fist over his chest, but his index finger has extended outward.
In a report on Manila Bulletin last July 26, Senator Padilla defended the “Kalima La ilaha ilalah” hand gesture that he showed during the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.
Senator Padilla said in a meeting with visitors from Malaysia that he always do the “Kalima La ilaha ilalah” with his hand and he had shown the hand gesture every time he sings the Philippine National Anthem. He also said that he’s willing to resign his political post than allow someone to tell him he can’t practice his faith.
“If I will not be successful in pushing for a federal parliamentary form of government I’d rather be an imam, I’d rather go to Malaysia and study the Koran than be a senator,” he said.
Although the former senator acknowledged Senator Padilla’s good intentions, Lacson pointed out in a Twitter post on Thursday that the country’s law requires respect for the flag and anthem at all times. He also said that the Republic Act 8491 (or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines) is not a matter of choosing between faith and politics.
He may have meant well but the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines mandates reverence and respect at all times for the flag and anthem. Sorry, RA 8491 has nothing to do with choosing between faith and politics. https://t.co/aLk5cMS47h #manilabulletin via @manilabulletin
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) July 27, 2023
Section 2 of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines states that:
“Reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the anthem and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity.”
The law also states that everyone must stand still, place their right palms over their chests, and sing the anthem when the Philippine flag is raised and the national anthem is played.
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