The Senate and the House of Representatives have agreed to include a ninth ray to the sun on the Philippine flag. According to a press release, the move is meant to “acknowledge the courage, bravery and integrity of Muslim Filipinos who fought for the nation’s independence.”
Mindanao will still have to struggle with underdevelopment, poverty, and an insurgency caused by the two, but, hey, they’re on the flag now. So, hooray. Let it not be said that Imperial Manila does not care about Mindanao.
UPDATE: Members of the Muslim community seem to appreciate the gesture after all.
Atty. Pangnal Datu Ramos, legal counsel of the Bangsa Moro Civil Society and former Vice Governor of Lanao del Sur said:
“The Bangsa Moro people will never forget Senator Dick Gordon’s consistent advocacy of recognizing the heroic struggle for freedom of the Bangsa Moro people that led to the approval of the 9th ray in our country’s national flag. Senator Gordon displays his statesmanship and respect for the Filipino Muslims, sorely lacking in our national leaders. May his tribe increase.â€
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