SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III on Monday stressed the need to enact a law to mandate the inclusion of Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge during the weekly flag ceremonies of all national government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and educational institutions.

Pimentel is urging the executive branch to submit a bill containing those ideas to sing a new song and recite a new pledge to amend the existing laws governing the National Anthem, Pledge, and flag-raising ceremonies.

“The EO is not sufficient. I believe a law is needed to authorize that,” Pimentel said.

“This involves the way of thinking of the people. Hence such a mandate must emanate from the people’s chosen representatives, their legislators. Also, notice that the MC involves SUCs. The students therein are not even government employees. They all observe the established flag ceremony under existing law,” the senator explained.

Memorandum Circular No. 52, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on June 4, directs all heads of all NGAs and instrumentalities to ensure that the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge are properly disseminated within their respective institutions and offices.

It likewise tasked the Presidential Communications Office to implement effective measures to communicate and disseminate the Bagong Pilipinas Hymn and Pledge to all government offices and the public.