THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
THE PHILIPPINES 
'&Regular 
session 
T 
5 SEP -8 i) 3 3 0  
REGWED BY : .a.a
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
2 1L 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine National Anthem, like the Philippine National Flag is a solemn 
expression of the lofty ideals of our people and symbolizes the struggle and bloody 
sacrifices we Filipino had had and undergone in the past revolutions. 
. 
It is therefore undoubtful that in our hearts it inspires the deepest sentiment and 
the highest veneration it deserves because of the facts and aspirations represented by it. 
This being so, the National &them must be sung or played only in the occasion of public 
performances of an official or semi-official character, or when the official flags of the 
Government of the Republic of the Philippines have to be hoisted or lowered, or when 
official acts or meetings are held by public or private schools duly recognized by the 
Government, or on like occasions. 
' 
The National Anthem is frequently chanted and its music played in social acts 
purely private, in movie houses, and sometimes simply for pastime as in balls, carnivals 
and crowning of beauty queens. This does no doubt constitute, if not a scorn to the honor 
and sanctity of the national cause and to our people, a grave desecration of the supreme 
and noble aspirations of liberty symbolized by the National Anthem. 
The National Anthem and it's music are not mere playthings, yet they are sung or 
played on any occasion for futile reasons, the Philippine National Hymn is as of right 
entitled to honor and respect by every Filipino and by all those who inhabit or reside in 
this beloved country of ours. 
The Punishment for punish the use of the Philippine National Anthem in social 
gatherings for mere recreation, amusement or entertainment purposes or in meetings or 
places where its use involves disrespect is the object of the attached bill. Hence, the 
passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
. 


*: 
WA7L E 
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~ J C  TtiE SECAETAw 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
S e d  
THE! PHILIPPINES 
) 
1 
s SEP -a ~3 :XI 
SENATE 
RECEIVED BY : ._ 
S.B.No. 212‘7 , 
Ilitroduced by Senator Ramon Bong ‘Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT PRESCRIBING WHAT OCCASIONS THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
HYMN SHALL BE PLAYED AND PUNISHING ITS VIOLATION 
. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. It is hereby provided that the music of the Philippine National 
Anthem and the words of the same shall be played and sung only in public acts of an 
official or semi-official character when the official flag of the Republic of the Philippines 
are to be hoisted or lowered, and when performance or celebration of an official character 
are held by public or private schools dully recognized by the government or on similar 
occasions. 
SECTION 2. 
Singing of the words and playing of the music of the National 
Anthem in social acts purely private and for mere recreation, amusement or entertainment 
purposes, and at meetings or places where its use involves lack of respect are hereby 
prohibited. 
SECTION 3. Any person who by himself or through other person shall violate 
the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than 
twenty five thousand pesos (P25,OOO.OO) but not more than fifty thousand pesos 
(P50,000.00), or by imprisonment of not less than six (6) years, but not more than eight 
(8) years, or both at the discretion of the Court. 
SECTION 4. Paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of Section 38 of the Republic Act No. 
8491, otherwise known as the “Flag & Heraldic Code of the Philippines is hereby 
repealed. Furthermore, any other law, presidential decree, executive order, administrative 
order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is 
hereby repealed, modified and amended accordingly. 
SECTION 5. - This Act ,shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, 
whichever comes earlier. 
. 
Approved,