National symbols of the Philippines
[3][4] Although in 2003, Benigno Aquino Jr. was officially declared by the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as a national hero by an executive order.
[13] In 2009, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared arnis as the national sport and martial art through Republic Act 9850.
National symbols such as the cariñosa, carabao, bangus (milkfish), and anahaw (footstool palm) that are circulating through various sources have no official status and have not established by law.
[3] Throughout the history of legislation in the Philippines, attempts were made to expand the list of official national symbols.
In February 2013, the Philippine Senate passed a bill declaring waling-waling (Vanda sanderiana) as the national flower alongside sampaguita.
5 by former President Fidel Ramos, recommended nine Filipino historical figures to be National Heroes: Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat, Juan Luna, Melchora Aquino, and Gabriela Silang.
[32][33] Congresswoman Liwayway Vinzons-Chato filed a house resolution declaring Corazon Aquino a national hero.
[31] Although, a week after she filed the resolution, she realized that there is no Filipino historical figure declared through law.
[34] Congressman Salvador Escudero interpellated Vinzons-Chato's speech and stated that heroes are made in the hearts and minds of people and not through legislation.
[34] After the interpellation, it was moved by House of Representatives to refer the privilege speech of Vinzons-Chato to the Committee of Basic Education and Culture.
[34] In 2013, Bayan Muna Congressmen Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate filed House Bill 3431 aiming to declare Andres Bonifacio as National Hero due to his actual participation in the Philippine Revolution against Spain.
[35][36] Another measure filed by Congressman Rene Relampagos from Bohol in February 2014 sought to declare Jose Rizal as the sole Filipino national hero.
[5] The recognition of Rizal and Bonifactio as national heroes is considered implied due to laws declaring their heroism according to NHCP.
