If there is one thing in a country that needs to be protected, respected, and honored is a country’s National Flag. It’s part of the heritage and the history of a nation. The Flag is also a pride of a country. Think of this. Whenever you see your country’s flag raised during a win in the Olympics seems to give you joy and pride, too, isn’t it?
Just like other countries in the world, the Philippine flag has a rich history before it became what it looks right now. All the efforts and sacrifices of the late heroes and the whole countrymen are vested in that flying banner.
But recently, an unknown student just captured the attention of the people when he was caught disrespecting the National Flag. The student then received strong criticisms online.
The video that surfaced social media like Facebook was posted by the Filipino Netizens page earning hundreds of comments regarding the student’s deeds.
https://www.facebook.com/filipinonetizenscom/videos/1306294692730844/
As what we can see in the video, we ca see him, holding a small Philippine Flag attached on a stick. It’s really unexpected that the student then used the flag to mop the floor. The people watching him (probably his classmates)are just criticizing his actions.
Filipino netizens just can’t hold their feeling about it. They expressed their comments on the video.
“Kailangan ipatupad sa kanya ang tamang punishment sa pambabastos nya sa pambansang watawat natin..dahil kung di xa parurusahan pede itong gayahin ng mga dayuhan at ng ibang bata..isa itong maliwanag na pagyurak sa ating bayan”, said one commentor.
[The right punishment must be enforced to him because of his disrespect to our National Flag. Because, if it’s not implemented to him, foreigners might do this, too, even other children. This is a clear dishonor to our country!]
Here’s another one.
“Nagaral pero walang matinong natutunan… Sayang pagod ng mga guro nya.”
[He studied but learned nothing at all…His teachers’ efforts are wasted]
According to REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491 or
“AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE CODE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG, ANTHEM, MOTTO, COAT-OF-ARMS AND OTHER HERALDIC ITEMS AND DEVICES OF THE PHILIPPINE,” “reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the anthem and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity.”
“The heraldic items and devices shall seek to manifest the national virtues and to inculcate in the minds and hearts of our people a just pride in their native land, fitting respect and affection for the national flag and anthem, and the proper use of the national motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items and devices,”
In Section 34 of the Act, it prohibits “mutilation, defacement, defilement, trampling upon or casting contempt any act or omission casting dishonor or ridicule upon the flag over its surface.”
The Punishment according to the Section 50 of the Act REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491;
Any person or judicial entity which violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (5,000.00) not more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00), or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court: Provided, That for any second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment shall always be imposed.
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