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The Philippine flag is seen in this file photo
The STAR / Krizjohn Rosales, File
MANILA, Philippines — The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) addressed a viral video showing partygoers singing the Philippine National Anthem at a rowdy outdoor rave party, stating that they are "technically constrained" from taking legal action because the event reportedly took place outside the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 29, the NHCP said the event occurred around December 2025 in the United States.
“Considering that Philippine domestic laws cannot be applied extraterritorially, we are technically constrained from taking appropriate legal action on the incident,” the NHCP’s statement read.
The controversy erupted over the weekend after a short-form video reel circulated on social media, showing a crowd singing the anthem in a "rowdy and noisy manner" at a party.
The commission then reminded the public and Filipino communities that the “National Flag, the National Anthem, and the Coat of Arms and Great Seal of the Republic” are protected under Republic Act No. 8491, also known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
The NHCP pointed to Sections 37 and 38, which mandate that the anthem must be sung in accordance with Julian Felipe’s original musical arrangement and explicitly prohibit its use for "mere recreation, amusement or entertainment purposes."
“The NHCP maintains that expressing love for one’s country might be done in good faith and sincere intent. While patriotic fervor may be exercised in many ways, it must be done with discretion and circumspection, and aligned with existing laws or culturally sensitive, as carelessness on our part may at times give the wrong impression or even cause offense, even when our original intent is to inspire and edify our countrymen,” the NHCP’s statement read.
