- The 57-year-old Queen of Pop, Madonna, visits Philippines for her “Rebel Heart” tour
- She had two days sold-out shows which created a controversy after she performed using the Philippine flag as a part of her costume
- Philippine officials wants to ban the diva for disrespecting the country’s national flag
Madonna left a controversy which might cause her to be banned from stepping on the Philippine soil again.
In a report written by an AFP staff and published by the GMA News Online, Philippine officials are looking into a possibility that the US pop icon will be banned from performing in the Philippines again.
According to Herminio Coloma, presidential spokesperson, “Malacañang is keen on banning Grammy award winner and Queen of Pop Madonna from performing in the Philippines for disrespecting the Philippine flag in her concert.”
Explaining further he said, “A 1998 law prescribes a one-year jail term, as well as a token fine for, wearing the Philippine flag “in whole or in part as a costume or uniform”. The law refers to the Republic Act 8491 otherwise known as the Flag and Heraldic code of the Philippines.
On a similar account, correspondent Aurea Calica’s written article and published in PhilStar.com, bared the sentiments of the chief of the heraldry section of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Teodoro Atienza, when interviewed over the radio station dzBB saying, “She ridiculed our flag.”
Moreover, Atienza stressed, “The singer and concert producers could be held liable for the violation even if they were unaware of the law.”
Atienza also disclosed possible sanctions which resulted from the aforementioned action, “They may face deportation and might not be able to return to the country.”
Taking note on another act which Madonna committed, he said, “She also allowed the flag to touch the stage floor, which is another violation.”
The undersecretary for the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, Manuel Quezon III, reminded everyone as he spoke over dzRB.
According to him, “although ignorance of the law excuses no one, it should not always be punitive.”
Talking about the laws of the land and the heroes who fought for the Philippine independence, he said, “We should all bear in mind that the law exists for a reason…because we want our flag to be respected. People died for that flag.“
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