Cavite 7th District Representative Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla made headlines again after he was caught on camera doing something as the session attendees sang the Lupang Hinirang or the national anthem of the Philippines during the hearing for ABS-CBN Network’s franchise renewal on Tuesday, June 29.
A short clip showing his disrespect for the country’s national anthem has been making rounds on social media since this morning and has already garnered over 800 thousand views and various reactions from netizens as of this writing.
This act, plus his abrupt manner talking to ABS-CBN’s representatives, has earned him the tag as Philippine Congress’ new “King of Disrespect”.
To recall, the 59-year-old politician rudely cut off ABS-CBN legal counsel Atty. Cynthia Del Castillo who was speaking during the congress hearing for the Kapamilya Network’s franchise renewal last June 11.
His rude manner went viral and because of this, he became the target of criticisms and comparisons online.
Whether it was intentional or not, his behavior did not sit well with the netizens who were able to watch the short clip.
Some called out the attention of the congressman and Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and they lambasted him for dishonoring the Philippine flag.
Some even cited that what he did was a violation of the constitution and should be penalized accordingly.
Did Congressman Remulla violated RA 8491 or the Flag & Heraldic Code of the Philippines? Sapat na ba ang sorry? The law may be harsh but it is the law, di ba? O, echos lang ang law is the law? https://t.co/wXwvc1n1LY
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) July 1, 2020
The Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, states, “Reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the anthem, and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity.”
Section 38 also mandated that a Filipino must salute to the flag while the national anthem is being played.
Section 50 also stated that any person who violates it shall pay a fine amounting to 50,000 or by imprisonment of not more than one year. In the case that the violation is committed by a juridical person, ” its President or Chief Executive Officer thereof shall be liable.”
Others have also commented that what is there to expect from a man who does not even respect a human, much more of a national anthem?
Here are some of the netizens’ reactions online:
Harapang Pambabastos! Boying Remulla busy'ng busy sa pagsusulat habang inaawit ang Pamabansang awit na "Lupang Hinirang", matatandaang kinukwestiyon nila ang pagka-Pilipino ni Lopez ngunit siya mismo ay bumabastos sa bandila ng Pilipinas. pic.twitter.com/mLZeJNqjV2
— Kapamilya Online World (@kowalerts) July 1, 2020
Hoy hipokritong Remulla!
Yun pinipilit nyo ang isang tao kung tunay syang pilipino, Ikaw pilipino ka bang tunay? Ongoing ang Pag-awit ng lupang hinirang, ano gngwa mo jan? pic.twitter.com/MJHZSlQQJL
— Joketerte (@joketerte30) July 1, 2020
Pasikatin si Boying Remulla, yan ang huwarang Filipino, walang paggalang kahit sa Lupang Hinirang. Sabagay, what do we expect? https://t.co/aNGx6asdL8
— Taylor (@bangsieMio) July 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/SisterPiningG/status/1278246718035775488
https://twitter.com/lettsanbue/status/1278198192207589376
Respect the law daw. Di nga niya marespeto ang Pambansang Awit eh. Wag ako.#IbalikAngABSCBN pic.twitter.com/HJjFNAis8i
— Jover Laurio (@PinoyAkoBlog) July 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/longliveswift16/status/1278186873979047937
https://twitter.com/IanCruzDotCom/status/1277474731659153408
#Remulla bastos , Lupang Hinirang di iginalang
— Vicbal (@Vicbal8) July 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/akosijaester/status/1277560027792855041
Look @alanpcayetano. Remulla is so bastos that he did not stand still ng pinatugtog ang Lupang Hinirang. What a disgrace to Phil. Congress!!! Pilipinas, kaya pa? Hindi ba may sanction po ito? @DOJPH https://t.co/GLcS5D6qey
— Maria Mema Sabina Star (@coziamrandom) July 1, 2020
Si Crispin remulla nakita nyo ba Ng kumakanta na Ng national anthem natin na Lupang hinirang lahat? Di sya nasunod sa protocol.#ABSCBNfranchise
— lai G. (@gb_lai) June 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/iamsupertrampp/status/1278225311117660161
Habang pinapatugtog ang Lupang Hinirang.. busy si cong remulla sa pagsusulat.. wala syang respeto kahit sa pambansang awit#IbalikAngABSCBN
— ChenSy (@MLChenSy) June 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/khrainess/status/1278228271985946627
WATCH: Cavite 7th District Representative na si Boying Remulla, huling-huling sa camera na binabastos ang ang bandila ng Pilipinas habang inaawit sa Kamara ang “Lupang Hinirang” bago magsimula ang ikawalong pagdinig sa franchise ng ABS-CBN. pic.twitter.com/80HsIsZfXZ
— @jane08_A A (@baron9668) July 1, 2020
Meanwhile, after learning about the viral clip showing an unethical incident, Remulla issued an apology.
On Wednesday, July 1, he said, “I’d like to apologize for an earlier incident na ako po’y may sinusuluat na note nung nagf-flag ceremony tayo.”
Along with his apology, the congressman blamed ABS-CBN whom he believed spread the video. “As usual, the ABS-CBN people are the ones playing it up now on social media. But I will forgive them.”
Furthermore, he said, “Ang sa akin ho, I wrote the note—hindi ko ho excuse ‘to—because something went into my mind for the questions I will ask tonight… Ako’y humihingi ng dispensa sa ating mga kababayan.”
Despite his apology, many netizens are crying for a legal process on the matter just like what happened to those who disrespected the national anthem and the flag.
In the same year, a guy was also arrested by police for not standing up to honor the flag while the national anthem is playing.
