Filipinos could face jail time for not singing national anthem enthusiastically

Filipinos would be required to sing the national anthem with ‘fervour’ when it is played in public, under a bill that the House of Representatives of the Philippines approved on Monday.

If the bill is signed into law by the Senate, failure to sing the anthem ‘Lupang Hinirang’ with sufficient enthusiasm would be punishable with people facing up to a year in prison and a fine of $1000 to $2000. A second offense would include both a fine and prison time along with violators being penalised by “public censure” in a newspaper.

“The singing shall be mandatory and must be done with fervour,” the bill states.

“Any act which casts contempt, dishonour or ridicule upon the national anthem shall be penalised,” the bill says further.

According to the Philippine Inquirer, all citizens must stand to attention facing the Philippine flag, if displayed, or the band or conductor.

Those who cannot sing the anthem due to their religious beliefs are exempt, but must “nonetheless, show full respect…by standing at attention.”

“The national anthem embodies and expresses the aspirations, dreams, ideals, longings, commitment and determination, nationalism and patriotism, sentiment and spirit of the people,” Maximo Rodriguez Jr, a principal author of the bill had said earlier, reported BBC.

The bill also provides official music for the tune and requires the school system to ensure every student memorises the words of the national anthem.

Source: The Express Tribune