President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed government agencies as well as some schools to recite the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge. Over the weekend, the government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), as well as educational institutions, have been required to comply with Memorandum Circular (MC) 52 , which would “instill the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ brand of governance and leadership”.
Local Government Units (LGUs) are also welcome to follow. READ : Gov’t agencies told to include ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ hymn, pledge in flag ceremonies Similarly, according to MC 24 , the slogan would reflect a principled, accountable and dependable government. Filipinos online believed that this movement may parallel the “ Bagong Lipunan” anthem that was previously required in the 1970s during the Martial Law under late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
READ: History behind the ‘Bagong Lipunan’ hymn played at a proclamation rally In a post on X (formerly Twitter), senior history researcher Kristoffer Pasion found the pledge “contrived” and said that is bears the markings of a “propaganda.” Meanwhile, lawyer and former Far Eastern University (FEU) Law Dean Mel Sta. Maria pointed out that requiring the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge to Filipinos is “coercive” and contradicts an existing law.
“REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491 ALREADY provides an OATH of Allegiance which has a statutory formula. There is no authority given to the President.
