EDITORIAL - Leave the flag alone

The nation got quite a jolt from the news that it is reportedly only a matter of time before the eight rays of the sun on the Philippine flag will become nine. This is because the Senate bicameral committee has reportedly already approved the proposal.

Wait a minute. There was hardly any report about such a proposal having gone through the rigors of discussion and debate. Was the media too preoccupied with more scurrilous things such as the mud-slinging that has irreparably soiled the Senate? Or did it simply not care?

Changes, any changes, in the appearance and configuration of a national flag alters irrevocably the significance and meanings woven into this most important of national symbols. Such changes, at the very least, deserve closer scrutiny by the entire nation.

The eight rays of the sun on the Philippine flag represent the first provinces that rose to fight Spain. The proposed ninth ray is ostensibly intended to recognize the Muslims who fought not just the Spanish colonizers but all "invaders" as well.

This is not intended to demean such a protracted struggle by the Muslims against any foreign invader. But that is precisely why a ninth ray in recognition of such a struggle makes the concept for the additional ray incongruous with the other eight.

The existing eight rays are there for a specific symbolism -- they represent specific provinces, not peoples, in a struggle against a specific enemy, not a long history of struggles against all foreign invaders.

In fact, a segment of the Muslim population have taken up arms (with the rest just waiting to see what happens) to fight, not foreign invaders, but their very own government in order to set up a new homeland.

If the Muslims succeed in carving out their own homeland that is separate and distinct from the rest of the Philippines, what happens now to the Philippine flag? Is it back to eight rays again?

The problem with us Filipinos is that we seem to be suckers for every idea that comes along. It is a problem that has imperiled the integrity and sanctity of our institutions. There is no new thing that does not get whipped around to become a fad.

Martial law has forever politicized the army. Edsa is now a sword over every removable head. Impeachment has become a yearly joke. Privilege speeches are now washing machines — the senators lavanderas of dirty linen.