Manila city gov’t scored for removing RP flags

Manila Councilor Cristy Isip criticized the city government for allegedly dismantling streamers bearing the image of the Philippine flag with the words “Pilipinas Kong Mahal (My Beloved Philippines)” displayed around the capital to mark National Flag Day last Wednesday and Independence Day on June 12.

In a statement she made before the City Council, Isip said the Manila city government’s action was not only “petty” but “very unpatriotic.”

The Flag Advocacy Committee, which distributed the streamers to various local government units, was tasked by President Arroyo to instill respect and reverence for the flag.

Former Manila mayor and now Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza reportedly chairs the committee. Atienza is a bitter rival of incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

“This is not a time for politics, rather an opportunity for all Filipinos to unite and rally behind one flag – our flag,” Isip said.

She added that since the country’s capital is Manila, the rest of the country follows where Manila goes and “it is only in Manila where there are no flags with the words ‘Pilipinas Kong Mahal.’”

The celebration of the National Flag Day is in compliance with Republic Act 8491 or the Flag Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

It also enjoins all residents of the country and public and private institutions to display the flag every day throughout the year, particularly from May 28 to June 12.

City Legal Officer Renato de la Cruz explained yesterday that they removed the Philippine flags with the words “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” to comply with a constitutional provision prohibiting unnecessary imprints on the flag.

He pointed out that RA 8491 prohibits the adding of any “word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing, advertisement, or imprint of any nature” on the national flag, and violators face fines of up to P20,000, a jail term of up to one year, or both. – Sandy Araneta