In a move reminiscent of his father’s martial law era, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has mandated the integration of the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn and pledge into weekly flag ceremonies at all government offices and educational institutions nationwide.

The directive, outlined in Memorandum Circular No. 52 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on June 4, aims to “further instill the principles of the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance and leadership among Filipinos.”

What is ‘Bagong Pilipinas’?

Launched in July 2023, “Bagong Pilipinas” represents the Marcos administration’s governance slogan and leadership brand. It envisions an “all-inclusive plan towards deep and fundamental social and economic transformation in all sectors of society and government.” 

The campaign is “characterized by a principled, accountable and dependable government, reinforced by unified institutions of society.”

The name and concept bear a striking resemblance to “Bagong Lipunan” (New Society), the vision and propaganda of Marcos’ father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who ruled the Philippines under martial law for over a decade.

During that dark period, Marcos Sr. promised to create a new society free from poverty, hunger, corruption and violence.

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Disseminating the Hymn and Pledge

Under the new directive, the heads of all national government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs), must ensure that the Bagong Pilipinas hymn and pledge are “properly disseminated within their respective institutions and offices.”

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has also been tasked to “implement effective measures to communicate and disseminate the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge to all government offices and the public.”

Reactions and Criticism

The move has drawn sharp criticism from some lawmakers and activists who see it as an attempt to whitewash the Marcos family’s controversial history and revise the martial law narrative.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro called the directive “reminiscent of the martial law period’s Bagong Lipunan propaganda” and questioned if Marcos is “again imitating his dictator father and bringing back martial rule.“

“It would be best for Pres. Marcos Jr. to rescind this self-serving and martial law remnant of a memorandum circular. It is yet another way to deodorize the Marcos name brand and revise history,” Castro said. ” We should just stick with the Lupang Hinirang and Panatang Makabayan.”

The lawmaker warned that the order could be “an attempt to indoctrinate government personnel and the youth with the Marcos administration’s self-styled Bagong Pilipinas branding.” 

Instead of such “gimmicks”, Castro urged the administration to focus on addressing pressing issues like low wages, high prices of goods, unemployment, and lack of quality jobs.

Integrating into Flag Ceremonies

The Bagong Pilipinas hymn and pledge are set to become a regular fixture in the weekly flag raising and lowering ceremonies mandated under Republic Act No. 8491 or the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines”.

The law requires all government offices, including local government units (LGUs), to conduct flag ceremonies every Monday morning and Friday afternoon.

While the directive applies to all national government agencies and educational institutions, LGUs are only “encouraged” to follow suit in integrating the Bagong Pilipinas hymn and pledge into their flag ceremonies. It remains to be seen how many will adopt the practice.

Bagong Pilipinas Hymn

Panahon na ng pagbabago
Dahil sa ito ay kinakailangan
Tayo na magtulong-tulong
Na paularin ang mahal nating bayan
Panahon na ng pagbabago
Dahil sa ito ay kinakailangan
Tayo na magtulong-tulong
Na paularin ang mahal nating bayan
Panahon na ng pagbabago
At iayos ang mga dapat ayusin
Dapat lang maging tungkulin
Ng bawat mamamayan dito sa atin
Gawin ang pagbabago
Patungo sa pag-asenso
Magsikap ng mabuti
At nang guminhawa tayo
Ipagmalaki natin sa mundo at ipamalas
Ang Bagong Pilipino at Bagong Pilipinas
Panahon na ng pagbabago
Tangkilikin natin ang sariling atin
At tama lang na ugaliin
Kaysa sa iba sa atin ang unahin
Panahon na ng pagbabago
At manguna sa kahit anong larangan
Ang tagumpay ay karangalan
Ialay o ihandog natin sa bayan
Ilang ulit nang napatunayan ng Pilipino
Ang husay at lakas, kagandahan, at talento
Handang makipag paligsahan kahit anong oras
Ang bagong Pilipino, ang Bagong Pilipinas
Panahon na ng pagbabago
Buhay natin ay gawing maaliwalas
Marami ang magandang bukas
Ang ibubunga ng Bagong Pilipinas
PANAHON NA!

Bagong Pilipinas Pledge

Bilang Pilipino, buong pagmamalaki kong isasabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas.
Buhay sa aking dugo ang lahing dakila, magiting at may dangal
Palaging dadalhin sa puso, isip at diwa ang aking pagmamahal sa kultura at bayang sinilangan;
Kaisa ng bawat mamamayan, aalay ko ang aking talino at kasanayan sa pagpapaunlad ng aking Bayan;
Taglay ang galing na naaayon sa mga pandaigdigang pamantayan;
Magiging instrumento ako sa pagsulong ng kagalingan, karunungan, at kapayapaan.
Makikiisa at makikilahok ako sa mga adhikain ng pamahalaan dahil ang kaunlaran ay hindi lamang responsibilidad ng iilan.
Isusulong at pangangalagaan ko ang karangalan, kalayaan, at interes ng aking bayang minamahal;
Bilang Pilipino na may pagmamahal, pakialam at malasakit;
hindi makasarili kundi para sa mas nakararami;
tatahakin ko ang landas tungo sa isang
Bagong Pilipinas!

Section 18 of Republic Act (RA) No. 8491 or the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines” directs all government offices, including local government units (LGUs), to conduct a flag-raising ceremony every Monday morning and flag-lowering ceremony every Friday afternoon.

Conclusion

The Marcos administration’s move to integrate the Bagong Pilipinas hymn and pledge into government flag ceremonies has sparked both support and opposition.

Proponents see it as a way to foster patriotism, unity and transformation under the president’s leadership brand. Critics, however, view it as an attempt to sanitize the Marcos family’s controversial past and impose their propaganda on government workers and youth.

As the directive takes effect, the Filipino people will closely watch how the Bagong Pilipinas campaign impacts governance and society.

Will it bring about the promised social and economic transformation or will it be remembered as yet another hollow slogan?

Only time will tell if Bagong Pilipinas becomes a symbol of progress or a relic of an administration’s ambition.