The National Historical Institute said Sunday it was filing a complaint against Journey lead singer Arnel Pineda for changing the tone and tempo of the Philippine national anthem when he sang it before the Pacquiao-Clottey bout in Texas.
Pineda sang "Lupang Hinirang" (Beloved Land) during Pacquiao’s successful bout against Joshua Clottey of Ghana on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), his powerful, high-pitched voice filling the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
But Teddy Atienza, chief of the Heraldry Section of the NHI, was not pleased. A "24 Oras" report quoted him as saying that they would file a complaint against Pineda before the Department of Justice for his "wrong" version of the national anthem.
Under Section 37 of Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code, the national anthem must be sung in accordance with the original musical arrangement of composer Julian Felipe, who gave it a marching tempo. Violators may be fined P5,000 to P20,000 or jailed for a year.
Pineda, for his part, defended his version, saying he had sung it with all his heart. He said he would ask his lawyer to deal with the complaint once it is filed.
