Sen. Manny Pacquiao Files Bill Proposing 9th Ray in Philippine Flag’s Sun
Boxing legend turned Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao has filed a bill proposing that will add a 9th ray in the sun symbol in the Philippine flag.
he boxing icon-politician, Senator Pacquiao filed Senate Bill No. 1984 last January 14 the proposed to increase the rays of the eight-rayed sun in the Philippine flag. The eight rays symbolize the first eight provinces to take up arms against Spain – Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.
According him, this is to represent Filipino Muslims who fought against Spain’s colonization. He said that Muslim heroes are “mostly unrecognized”, just like Lapu-Lapu and Sultan Kudarat, who risk their lives to fight against Spaniards.
“Our Muslim heroes who equally struggled valiantly for our country’s independence must be given due recognition alongside with those already recognized in the most heraldic article of national importance, in the Philippine flag,” Pacquiao said.
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He said the Phlilippine flag “should not only encapsulate a symbolism that survives the passage of time, but one which truly reflects the historical accounts and gives due recognition to those who went through heroic struggles over the course of national history.”
On July 1, 2019, Senator Richard Gordon also filed the same proposal. Gordon has repeatedly campaigned for the recognition of the Muslim community’s contribution in the national idependence, based on the report of Manila Bulletin.
Adding a ninth ray to the sun of the Philippine flag has gone through many attempts in Congress by amending Republic Act No. 8491, or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines
During the 14th Congress, the proposal was approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives but was not implemented. Based on records from Senate and House websites, only the Senate approved the agreed-upon bill in 2009.
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