Bicam OKs 9th Ray to Sun in RP Flag
By MARIO CASAYURAN
September 23, 2009, 6:15pm
The bicameral conference committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives approved Tuesday the addition of a ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine flag.
This came after the two panels reconciled the disagreeing provisions of the two versions of the bill amending the Flag and Heraldic Code.
Sen. Richard J. Gordon, chairman of the Senate panel and principal author of Senate Bill (SB) 3307, said the approval of the measure would foster greater unity among Filipinos regardless of religion.
‘’We are a country that has had a conflict with our Muslim brothers for the last so many decades. I think this is a bid step towards reuniting our country, recognizing the contributions of our fellow countrymen, Muslim Filipinos. We should recognize their deeds in our country,’’ Gordon said.
Included in the Senate bill was Gordon’s proposal to add a ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine flag to acknowledge the courage, bravery and integrity of Muslim Filipinos who fought for the nation’s independence.
SB 3307 proposed amendments to Republic Act 8491, or ‘’An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and Other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines.’’
‘’This is a great step in recognizing the fact that we had Muslims such as Lapu-Lapu, Sultan Kudarat, Amai Pakpak and Sorongan who kept fighting the Spaniards long before this country thought of a revolution against Spain. This would foster unity, making sure that nobody is excluded. If we are to have national unity in this country it must begin with our flag, it must be symbolized in our flag,’’ Gordon said.
‘’We take an amendment of the law here but we actually amend the mindset of our countrymen and bring the nation back to its original posture, one that will not accept tyranny. And we should give credit where credit is due,’’ Gordon stressed.
Members of the bicameral panel were Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and their House counterparts, Reps. Del de Guzman, chairman of the House panel; and representatives Ma. Carisssa Cocoluella, Salvador Escudero III and Roman Romulo.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=22566.0