Teachers’ groups have raised concerns over a recent directive from the Palace mandating the inclusion of the Bagong Pilipinas hymn and pledge during flag-raising ceremonies in government offices and state schools. They describe the move as impractical, unnecessary, and reminiscent of indoctrination tactics from the Martial Law era.
The memorandum circular, issued earlier this month, requires national government agencies, state firms, and educational institutions to incorporate the hymn and pledge to “instill the principles of the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance and leadership among Filipinos.”
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) criticized the directive, stating, “True nationalism and patriotism cannot be enforced through hollow rituals or the blind worship of national symbols, let alone a piece of propaganda.” They argued that “Lupang Hinirang,” the national anthem, is more appropriate for flag ceremonies and emphasized that students learn patriotism through leaders and heroes who “live by example.”
ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to rescind the order, suggesting the government should instead prioritize raising wages and lowering food prices. “We should just stick with the ‘Lupang Hinirang’ and ‘Panatang Makabayan’,” she stated.
Both TDC and ACT Teachers Party-List compared the order to the practices during Martial Law under ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the current president’s father, when the “Bagong Lipunan” hymn was required at flag ceremonies. TDC remarked, “We find this move impractical, unnecessary, and it is reminiscent of the political propaganda tactics seen during the Martial Law years.”
The Bagong Pilipinas hymn, a regular feature at events attended by Marcos Jr., was previously used to signify the President’s arrival at venues before the memorandum’s issuance.