IPFS News Link • Philippines
Philippines May Get New Law: Sing National Anthem With Spirit or Face Prison Time
• nytimes.com By DANIEL VICTORIf the bill, which will be considered by the Senate, is approved and signed into law, a failure to sing the anthem, "Lupang Hinirang," with sufficient energy would be punishable by up to year in prison and a fine of 50,000 to 100,000 pesos, or about $1,000 to $2,000. A second offense would include both a fine and prison time, and violators would be penalized by "public censure" in a newspaper.
"The singing shall be mandatory and must be done with fervor," the bill states.
The law would also mandate the tempo of any public performance of the anthem — it must fall between 100 and 120 beats per minute. Schools would be required to ensure all students have memorized the song.