NHC urge house members to undergo drugs test following Alejano’s “strange plan”

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano. Image credit PDI

The National Historical Commission (NHA), on Monday was shocked while in the height of celebrating the country’s Independence Day, after Magdalo Rep. Garry Alejano said he wanted to change the name of the Philippines.

NHA spokesman Arturo Dela Rama said Alejano’s surprising plan was “crazy, and even said the former rebel soldier must be in drugs.

“Sa dinamidami ng pwedeng gawan ng batas, ang hindi pa problema ang pinoproblema. Ni sa hinagap sino ba namang matinong kongresista ang makakaisip na palitan ang pangalan ng Pilipinas?” Dela Rama said.

Alejano has sought the creation of a proposed Geographic Renaming Commission to come up with a new name for the country within one year of its establishment.

Under House Bill No. 5867, the proposed commission will be tasked to submit its recommendations to the President by the end of its one-year life span.

The proposed commission will be composed of three commissioners from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino.

A secretariat will be formed to provide technical support for the office. The proposed commission will also be authorized to create technical committees and engage the assistance of experts and professional advisors.

For the commission, Alejano sought an initial allocation of P30 million from the General Appropriations Act.

The bill explained that renaming the country is meant “to throw away the vestiges of colonialism, to establish our national identity, and to define how our nation, our people and our national language will be addressed internationally.”

“Ideally, the name of a country should define not only its land, but also its people and patrimony. In addition, the new name must also reflect our history, culture, society, and national sentiments,” Alejano explained in his bill.

Dela Rama said all members of the House of Representatives must undergo drug testing so in order to ensure that the lawmakers are still in their right mind to lead the country.

Not only NHA, several political analysts also blasted Alejano for thinking such “absurd plan”.

Ateneo History Professor Artemio Punzalan said Cong. Gary Alejano could not probably think of any better bill.

I think he is making himself a legacy. I don’t know what legacy is that but I’m sure he is doing everything to be known by people in whatever means. His plan is just impossible”, Punzalan said. /Cecile Calima/

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