Controversy must be Madonna’s middle name.
Teodoro Atienza — chief of the Heraldry Section of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) — is incensed by the fact that Madonna used the Philippine flag in an inappropriate and unlawful manner during her Rebel Heart concert in Manila on Wed, Feb 24.
GMA News Online cited a dzBB interview wherein Atienza said, “Ginawa pong katawa-tawa ang ating watawat. Ginawang tapis. Ginawang balabal ni Ms. Madonna (Out flag was made fun of. It was turned into a cover-up. It was turned into a scarf).”
Atienza added, “Lumapat pa po ‘yung flag sa stage. Nasasaad po sa batas natin na bawal lumapat sa sahig [ang watawat] (The flag touched the stage. It’s stipulated in our law that the flag must not touch the floor).”
The report then went on to cite Republic Act No. 8491, which prescribes the code of the national flag, anthem, motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items, and devices of the Philippines, which “also prohibits wearing the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform.”
Atienza said that even if Madonna and her producers were not aware of the law, they will still be held responsible. “Kahit po hindi alam [ni Madonna, producers ang batas sa watawat], mananagot po sila (Eve if they Madonna and her producers were not aware of the law, they will face the consequences of their actions),” he said.
In this light, NHCP may contact the Bureau of Immigration so the agency can invite Madonna and the producers to explain their side. Atienza said Madonna and her team may be deported and/or permanently banned from coming back to the Philippines.
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