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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session -
109 :

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
JCM. ABALOS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

While every species has developed ways to communicate with their kind,
humans are distinct in their use of language - spoken, written, or signed - as a
means to communicate with each other. With language, we can express our thoughts,
feelings, and desires. Allowing us to share our experiences and enabling us to
connect on a deeper level through shared values and beliefs, exchange of ideas,
shifting behaviors, and discovered commonalities. Language is the very frame from
which we view ourselves and everything else around us.

Our language is linked to our shared history, culture, beliefs, and values that
bind us. As it reflects people's thoughts and beliefs, language has the power to shape
culture, distinct from others, and to form and preserve the identity of a nation. It
influences thoughts, perceptions, behaviors, and, ultimately, decisions. And there
lies the power of language.

The importance of language in our daily life cannot be emphasized enough in
the one thing that we know by heart and take pride in - Lupang Hinirang, the
Philippine National Anthem. Most of us have been taught to memorize and sing
Lupang Hinirang since our formative years, the very first year we started school. We
have gotten so used to the words we sing that we have hardly thought about them.
Yet, as written in the Republic Act No. 8491, otherwise known as Flag and Heraldic
Code of the Philippines, two regularly occurring words in the national hymn do not
follow the proper contraction rule of the Filipino written language: “Di” and “Pag”.


Though it may seem insignificant to some, the song from which the
improperly structured words are used carries with it the weight of the identity of a
nation and people reflected in the Filipino National Language. This bill seeks to
remedy this oversight by amending R.A. No. 8491 to show the two words in their
proper contracted form using kudlit where letters have been omitted: “Hindi to ‘Di’
and “Kapag to Pag”.

The amendment hopes to strengthen the importance of both the Filipino
Language and the Philippine National Anthem, and to instill and evoke patriotic
sentiments among the Filipino citizens, especially our youth. Moreover, the bill
endeavors to fortify the values we place in the history and traditions of our nation
and people.

In view of the above, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Representative
4Ps Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

109

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
JCM. ABALOS

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 36 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491, OTHERWISE KNOWN,
AS THE “FLAG AND HERALDIC CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 36 of Republic Act No. 8491 is hereby amended as
follows:

“SECTION 36. The National Anthem shall always be sung in the
national language within or without the country. The following shall be the
lyrics of the National Anthem.

“Bayang magiliw,
Perlas ng Silanganan

Alab ng puso,

Sa Dibdib mo'y buhay.

Lupang Hinirang,

Duyan ka ng magiting,

Sa manlulupig,

[Di] ‘DI ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok,

Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw,


May dilag ang tula,

At awit sa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y

‘Tagumpay na nagniningning,

Ang bituin at araw niya,

Kailan pa ma'y [di] ‘DI magdidilim,

Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati't pagsinta,

Buhay ay langit sa piling mo,

Aming ligaya na [pag] ‘PAG may mang-aapi,
Ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo.”

SEC. 2. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any provision of these Act is
declared unconstitutional or contrary to law, the other parts or provisions hereof
which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,