MANILA — Malacañang said Thursday it is leaving to Congress the task of deciding on the proposal of Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III to change the last two lines of the national anthem.
“Iniiwan na po namin iyan sa Kongreso. Mas maraming mas matitinding problema na dapat harapin (We leave that matter to the Congress. There are more pressing problems to face),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing. “Bahala na po ang Kongreso diyan (It’s up to the Congress to decide on the matter).”
On Tuesday, Sotto raised the possibility of changing the national anthem, noting that its last two lines sound “defeatist.”
He was referring to the lines: “Aming ligaya na ‘pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo (But it is glory ever, when thou art wronged; For us, thy sons to suffer and die).”
The senator wanted to replace it with the lines: “Aming ligaya na ‘pag may nang-api, ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo (It is our joy to defend your freedom from our oppressors).”
Sotto brought this up while interpellating on a bill seeking to add a ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine flag.
The Philippine national anthem, arranged and composed by Julian Felipe, is entitled “Lupang Hinirang”.
According to law, it shall be sung “with fervor” when it is played at a public gathering, whether by a band or by singing or both. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
