NHCP on Madonna’s use of PHL flag in concert: ‘Mananagot po sila’

An official of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) on Friday said Queen of Pop Madonna's use of the Philippine flag during her Rebel Heart concert in Manila on Wednesday violates the law and may lead to her deportation.

"Ginawa pong katawa-tawa ang ating watawat. Ginawang tapis. Ginawang balabal ni Ms. Madonna," Teodoro Atienza, chief of the Heraldry Section of NHCP, said in an interview on radio dzBB.

"Lumapat pa po 'yung flag sa stage," he added.

Atienza said, "Nasasaad po sa batas natin na bawal lumapat sa sahig [ang watawat]."

Republic Act No. 8491, which is the act prescribing the code of the national flag, anthem, motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items and devices of the Philippines, also prohibits wearing "the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform."

Atienza said that 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," he said.

Atienza added NHCP may contact the Bureau of Immigration so the agency can invite Madonna and the producers to explain their side.

"Maari po silang ma-deport at hindi na makabalik sa bansa," Atienza said.

Madonna has done the same in her concerts in other places such as Hong Kong and Canada, using the flags as wrap. —KG, GMA News