In light of the undying aspiration of the Philippines being united under one flag, and the relentless efforts of
solving the secessionist issue in Muslim Mindanao and the approved Bangsamoro Organic Law, what is your
stand on the proposed ninth ray? In case the proposal will be adopted, how will you design the new Philippine
flag to consider the points raised by the Ninth Ray Bill?
ANSWERS:
A lot happened to our nation many years ago before we gained our independence from conquerors.
The Philippine flag is a symbol of our liberty. Three women, Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and
Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, stitched it. On June 12, 1898, President Emilio Aguinaldo flew and waved it at
Kawit Cavite, the declaration of the Republic of the Philippines that they are finally free of colonists.
The Philippine flag has symbols that convey a lot of information about the country's independence.
The white triangle form depicts the Katipunan's distinguishing insignia, which signifies that its blood compact
prompted the masses to stand up in arms.
The three five-pointed stars represent the three principal islands of the archipelago. Luzon, Visayas
and Mindanao.
The golden sun represents the liberty of the country while the eight rays of the sun represent the 8
provinces that fought against Spaniards. Moreover, according to Dr. Florentino H. Hornedo a scholar. The
golden sun can also signify learning and education which ‘enlighten’ and dispose a people to progress and
civilization.
Red indicates courage, bravery, heroism, willingness to shed blood to defend the country. Blue
signifies Royalty, peace, justice, sacrifice, and truth. White stands for purity, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
While the yellow stands for freedom, unity, democracy, and sovereignty.
Later on, June 12 was officially proclaimed as national Independence Day by virtue of proclamation
No. 28 of President Diosdado Macapagal.
In the year 2009, senator Gordon propose a senate bill that adding one ray to the Philippine flag is
necessary to acknowledge the heroism of the Muslims who fought against Spaniards during that period of
time. The bill is known as the “Ninth Ray Bill” and was also supported by Senator Chiz Escudero in the said
proposal. The question is what is my stand on senator Gordon’s proposal?
As I conduct my research, I have affirmed that the provinces indicated in the eight rays of the
Philippine flag is not just about who first waged a revolution against Spaniards. The eight rays symbolize the
“declared in the state of war”. Thus, this might also indicate that they won. Furthermore, Muslims is a noun
and not a place. Not a province.
The issue is that adding another ray might cause confusion in our Philippine history because of the
lack of resources and evidence that Moros have fought against the Spaniards. However, there are
researchers that affirm the heroism of the Muslims. The objectives of Spaniards were to conquer Southeast
Asia to control the spice trading in the world economy. To persuade Moros to acknowledge Spaniard
domination which is very offensive to Moros. Thus, this results in a fight against colonizers to fight for their
homeland and to sway them away. The historians stated that “there was also a story of Sirongan, the Rajah
of Buayan protected their land when Spaniards attempted to colonize the area. He killed Esteban Rodriguez
de Figueroa who led the first expedition to Cotabato,” he said. And the land of Buayan was mentioned in the
book of Pigafetta.
However, as a student. I believe that the correct gathering of evidence Is the key for this issue to be
resolved. Moreover, Muslims are not forgotten. It is not required. Mindanao is home to individuals who identify
as Moros. Mindanao is already depicted on the flag as the third star. There is no requirement for a ninth
beam. So, I, therefore, conclude that I stand out with senator Gordon’s proposal not unless there is a strong
foundation that can be used as evidence for us to have nine beams in our Philippine Flag.
In case the bill will be adopted and given a chance to design the new flag I will be presenting the
image below:
As you can see, the ninth ray is already added to the sun. However, a straight white line is added.
Why? Because I believe equality is what must exceed. To equally divide powers that red and blue indicates.
No one must overpower each party.
