REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
THIRD REGULAR SESSION

Introduced by Representative Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is widely accepted that the Lupang Hinirang is a great symbol of the pride and
honor that Filipinos have for our country; its continuous playing will further instill
nationalism to all Filipinos. With the fast-paced lives that we have today, people need
to be reminded about having national pride and love for the Philippines and this can be
done by having people listen to the National Anthem being played. People today often
crowd malls and commercial centers, and it is the best place to play the Lupang
Hinirang. Government offices should also lead the way in instilling the national pride by
playing the National Anthem in their office premises.

Requiring the National Anthem to be played in government offices, malls and
commercial centers three times a day will definitely increase national pride among
Filipinos. Christmas songs and advertisements are usually played in public places and it
will not be a burden for malls and commercial centers to require them to play the
Lupang Hinirang three times a day. Our nation have millions of citizens outside the
country for work and vacation; before they leave and when they come back, they can
easily be reminded of national pride when they hear the National Anthem being played
in government offices, malls, and commercial centers.

Nationalism and pride for the Philippines should be strengthened. Love for country
can be furthered with Lupang Hinirang being played three times a day.

Approval of the bill is earnestly sought.

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
THIRD REGULAR SESSION

House'Bill No 0689

Introduced by Representative Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr.

“AN ACT STRENGTHENING NATIONAL PRIDE
BY MANDATING THE PLAYING OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
THREE TIMES A DAY
IN ALL MALLS, COMMERCIAL CENTERS,
AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES”

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “Strengthening National
Pride Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Principle. - The State recognizes the need for all
Filipinos to extremely love the Philippines so that it can ensure a better, stronger, and
More progressive future. The National Anthem of the Philippines, the Lupang Hinirang,
echoes the love and pride that the Filipinos have for our country and repeatedly playing
it will instill further nationalism and pride to all Filipinos.

SECTION 3. National Anthem in Main Government Offices. - The Office of the
President, the Senate of the Philippines, the House of Representatives and the Supreme
Court shall play the Lupang Hinirang in the premises of their offices three times a day;
at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM every day. Provided that, when the government
offices conducts a flag-raising ceremony in any given day, the playing of the National
Anthem during that occasion shall be already counted and can be deducted from the
the number of times that the National Anthem need to be played in a particular
government office pursuant to this Section.

SECTION 4. National Anthem in Other Government Offices, - The President of
the Republic of the Philippines shall designate other government offices that will be
required to play the National Anthem within their Premises three times a day,
considering the transactions that the public has before said offices. The National


Anthem shall be played at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM every day in the other
government offices that will be required by the President of the Republic of the
Philippines.

SECTION 5. National Anthem in Malls and Commercial Centers. - A\l malls and
commercial centers shall be required to play the Lupang Hinirang three times a day
within their corridors and hallways every day when they are open. The National
Anthem shall be played at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM every day in all malls and
commercial centers.

SECTION 6. Action of Persons Inside Places Where the National Anthem is
Required to be Played Three Times a Day. - All persons inside main government
Offices, government offices identified by the President of the Republic Philippines
pursuant to Section 4 hereof, and malls and commercial centers shall be required to
stand still, listen, and stop what they are doing every time the Lupang Hinirang is being
played. Filipinos inside the malls and commercial centers are encouraged to also sing
while the Lupang Hinirang is being played.

SECTION 7. Volume of National Anthem When Being Played - The main
government offices, government offices identified by the President of the Republic
Philippines pursuant to Section 4 hereof, and malls and commercial centers shall make
sure that the Lupang Hinirang will be played loudly and clearly when complying with the
requirements of this Act.

SECTION 8. Penalties. - All violators of the requirements laid down in this Act
shall be penalized as follows:

a. Penalty Against Head of Government Offices. - Subject to existing laws, all
heads of government offices or the division of a particular government office, tasked
with making sure that the provisions of this Act shall be properly implemented, shall be
charged with serious neglect for non-compliance with the requirements of this Act and
shall be removed from public office with forfeiture of all retirement and separation
benefits.

b. Penalty Against Owners of Malls and Commercial Centers. - Malls and
Commercial Centers who fail to comply with the requirements of this Act shall be
imposed with a fine of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (P 25,000.00) Pesos for every time
they fail to play the National Anthem pursuant to the requirements stated in this Act.

¢. Penalty for Violation of Section 6. - All persons who violate Section 6 of this
Act shall be imprisoned for one (1) month and be imposed with a fine of One Thousand
~ Pesos (P 1,000.00).

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Legal Affairs Office of
the Office of the President shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations of


this Act within thirty (30) days after it has been signed by the President of the Republic
of the Philippines.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect immediately after its
Publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

APPROVED,