QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10961)
It adopts and institutionalizes the “Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat” as the official oath of allegiance for all Filipinos.
The Executive Order states that the centennial of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1998 becomes more meaningful if citizens’ sense of history and nationhood is properly evoked.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts finalized the pledge from a draft prepared by the Commission on the Filipino Language.
Each citizen is directed to learn the Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat, reflect upon its words, and take to heart the dedication to nationhood it contains.
It describes the pledge as “soul stirring,” truly adoptable by all, and as evincing a sense of nationhood and the values every freedom-loving and nationalistic Filipino should possess.
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, at Makabansa.
It is adopted and institutionalized as the official oath of allegiance for all Filipinos.
It requires more than memorization: citizens must learn the pledge, reflect upon its words, and take to heart the dedication to nationhood contained in it.
It emphasizes nationhood and values such as “dangal, katarungan at kalayaan,” and the ideals expressed by “Maka-Diyos, Maka-tao, at Makabansa.”
The President acted “by the powers vested in me by law,” as stated in the Executive Order.
It takes effect immediately.
It marks the centennial of the proclamation of Philippine Independence, and the celebration is intended to be made more meaningful through proper evocation of citizens’ sense of history and nationhood.
It was done in the City of Manila on June 12, 1996, signed by Fidel V. Ramos, with Executive Secretary Ruben D. Torres signing by the President.
It is characterized as both institutional and directive: it is the “official oath of allegiance for all Filipinos,” and citizens are directed to learn, reflect upon, and internalize it. The wording “direct each and every citizen to learn…” supports this.