SECTION 50. Any person or judicial entity which violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (5,000.00) not more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00), or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court: Provided, That for any second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment shall always be imposed: Provided, That in case the violation is commited by a juridical person, its President or Chief Executive Officer thereof shall be liable.
We might be proud for the freedom of expression to even burn the flag US flag (but not really to burn the Koran).
For clear thinking, it is interesting to remember that love and respect for National heritage, flag, and anthem are alive in other democratic and free countries.
Compare to US and European excesses of disrespect and outright hostility for the nation and its symbols
- US athletes to publicly demonstrate for Black Lives Matter, Antifa, kneel and walk out during the national anthem
- violent attacks on people who carry the flag, put it in their yard, and
- sending students home for wearing flag T shirts on the National holiday (in order not to offend Mexicans), or
- German chancellor Merkel disposing of the German flag with a disgusted face
Total disrespect for one’s nation and its traditions might spell the end of such nation, and its freedom of expression.
Republic Act No. 8491
Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1998/02/12/republic-act-no-8491/
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy – Reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the anthem and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity. The heraldic items and devices shall seek to manifest the national virtues and to inculcate in the minds and hearts of our people a just pride in their native land, fitting respect and affection for the national flag and anthem, and the proper use of the national motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items and devices. […]
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Prison terms for disrespecting Philippine flag or anthem
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