Red Flag

The manner President Benigno Aquino III played down the issue on 'red' flag was very insulting to the country and the Filipino people.

In a news item by Norman Bordadora (Philippine Daily Inquirer 9/28/10), Mr. Aquino dismissed the criticisms on the inverted Philippine Flag in New York as "coming from people with nothing better to do."

According to the article, the president said that "some people just don't have anything to do." 

I think this presidential swipe relegated our national symbol to a mere historical embellishment; disrespecting the many Filipinos who died fighting for the freedom that the flag symbolizes – among them is Ninoy Aquino, the president’s father.

The US explained that the matter was an honest mistake. But honest mistake or not, the said diplomatic faux pas hurt our national pride; thus, it cannot be easily dismissed as a mere triviality.

May we remind Mr. Aquino of the following words from the Panunumpa sa Katapatan sa Watawat:

Ako ay Pilipino/ Buong katapatang nanunumpa/ Sa watawat ng Pilipinas/ At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag/ Na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan/ Na pinakikilos ng sambayanang/ Maka-Diyos/ Maka-tao/ Makakalikasan/  at Makabansa.

These are not mere empty words. They represent the sacrifices of our forefathers and our heroes. They represent the honour of our country. They represent the integrity of Filipinos.

Thus, any discrepancy involving our national flag must be immediately corrected – even those unintentionally committed in foreign lands.

In the said New York summit, Mr. Aquino sat just beside US President Barack Obama. I may sound funny, but I’m wondering why our dear president did not scribble a simple note alerting the American president of the faux pas.

Was it really due to presidential ethics and diplomatic requisites?  Or due to some to reasons which can be considered unFilipino?

Well, the US explanation that what happened was an "honest mistake", at least, served as a balm to the blunder. Unfortunately, it was President Aquino himself who rubbed salt to our wound.

Well, Mr. President, you have just waved a red flag.