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The Philippines
This Week in AsiaPolitics

Philippine flag pledge slammed as ‘repugnant’ with links to Japanese occupation

  • The pledge will be recited during weekly flag-raising ceremonies in government schools and agencies

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Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr previously called the Bagong Pilipinas hymn his “administration’s brand of governance and leadership”. Photo: EPA-EFE
Raissa Robles
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s introduction of a compulsory flag pledge has ignited a controversy in the country, with some supporting the move to help forge national unity and others arguing it would infringe on individual freedoms and has dubious links to the Japanese occupation era.

The new pledge and hymn called Bagong Pilipinas, or New Philippines, will be recited during weekly flag-raising ceremonies in schools and government agencies, according to a presidential memorandum dated June 4 and released on Saturday.

The memorandum said the pledge characterised a “principled, accountable and dependable government, reinforced by unified institutions of society”.

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Marcos Jnr has previously called Bagong Pilipinas his “administration’s brand of governance and leadership”.

Students wait for their classes outside their school in Manila. The new pledge and hymn will be recited during weekly flag-raising ceremonies in schools and government agencies. Photo: AFP
Students wait for their classes outside their school in Manila. The new pledge and hymn will be recited during weekly flag-raising ceremonies in schools and government agencies. Photo: AFP

Political risk analyst Victor “Dindo” Manhit said there was no reason to oppose the requirement for government employees and students in state schools to recite the pledge.

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