Binay: Change in natl seals, logos not a joke
SEN. Nancy Binay is pushing for a bill to strengthen and strictly enforce the standards for the creation and changing of official seals and logos in government.
“Hindi po basta-basta ang rebranding at ang pagbabago ng logo. We need to ensure that official seals and logos convey national ideals and traditions that express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity,” Binay said.
Senator Binay filed S.B. No. 2384 which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 8491 and strengthen the rules on the creation, modification and registration of official seals and other heraldic items and devices of government entities.
Binay cited the apparent trend of unilaterally changing seals/logos of government agencies like the Bangko Sentral’s gold Philippine Eagle, and the new logo for the Philippine Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) which both caused uproar from different sectors.
Under the proposed bill, any government entity, including the military, may adopt appropriate coat-of-arms, administrative seals, logo, insignia, badges, patches, banners and initiate awards, citations, orders or decorations, as may be authorized by the Congress or the Office of the President, subject to the approval and recommendation of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
Binay also wanted designs made in the legal tender should first be cleared and approved by the NHCP, and concurred by Congress before being released for circulation.
“Tinanggal na natin ang mga bayani sa ating pera. Parang sinasabi nating ‘our martyrs and heroes are no longer worth our money’.
‘Yung design ng pera hindi dapat BSP o Malacanang lang ang magde-decide. ‘Yung magpalit nga ng name ng school at kalsada kailangan may congressional imprimatur at NHCP approval dahil meron ‘yan relevance at implications sa culture at history,” Binay pointed out.
She added that the NHCP is responsible for the conservation and preservation of the country’s historical legacies that even natural features such as islands, rivers, seas, oceans, mountains and plains are not supposed to be changed or renamed by a mere local ordinance or resolution, unless these are being reverted to their old indigenous names.
