Legal basis and governing authority
- Kautusang Tagapagpaganap Blg. 60 is issued under the President’s authority “sa bisa ng kapangyarihang ipinagkakaloob sa akin ng batas.”
- The issuance is explicitly anchored on the intent and purposes of the Saligang-Batas and the Batas ng Komonwelt Blg. 570.
Policy and intent
- The Executive Order declares that the development and promotion of the Wikang Pambansang Pilipino is among the dreams of national heroes and is provided for in the Saligang-Batas.
- It emphasizes that singing the national anthem in a foreign language is “lubhang kapansin-pansin” and not aligned with the spirit of national identity.
- It links Wikang Pilipino with the nation’s official language framework (“isa na sa ating mga wikang pampamahalaan”).
Core rule on singing the anthem
- The Executive Order requires that the Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas must be sung lamang sa mga titik nito sa Wikang Pilipino.
- The rule applies “sa alin mang pagkakataon,” covering every occasion when the anthem is sung.
- The directive applies both dito and sa ibang bansa (within the Philippines and abroad).
Officers and compliance
- The Executive Order commands compliance through presidential direction, binding the practice of singing the national anthem to the use of its Pilipino lyrics.
- The Executive Order’s governing requirement is the language of the lyrics—singing must be limited to the anthem’s Pilipino text, regardless of location.
Signature and certification
- The Executive Order is signed by Diosdado Macapagal, Pangulo ng Pilipinas.
- It is countersigned by Rufino G. Hechanova, Kalihim Tagapagpaganap.