KWF wants to discard the use of ‘Filipinas’ in referring the country

By Flory Ann Tacuban

The Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF) wants the public to use “Pilipinas” when referring to the country.

The country’s name is “Pilipinas,” not “Filipinas”. This was stand of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), which overturned a previous decision by the body’s former leadership.

Consequently, the people of Pilipinas are called “Pilipino,” not “Filipino.”

The term Pilipinas or Filipinas refers to the Hispanized name of the country, which was named after King Philip of Spain.

In a virtual press conference last July 28, 2021, KWF commissioner Arthur Casanova said they decided to revert to using “Pilipinas” instead of Filipinas which adopted by the language body during the chairmanship of National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario.

Casanova said that the decision is in keeping with the Constitution, saying that the prior decision to use “Filipinas” and “Filipino” was unconstitutional.

“Noong Abril 12, 2013, nagpasiya ang kalipunan ng KWF na baguhin ang ang pangalan ng bansa. Upang baguhin ito kailangan ng constitutional change. Ang ating pangunahing batayan ay ang Saligang Batas ng 1987. Para sa akin po, isang pagsasayang ng oras ang pagtalakay dito pagkat ang akin lamang pong pinaninindigan dito ay kung ano ang nakasaad sa Saligang Batas 1987,” Casanova said.

A Board of Commissioners Resolution also supported the decision to revert to “Pilipino” when referring the country and the people.

“Inilabas ang Kapasiyahan Blg. 13-19, nang hindi ito dumaan sa proseso kaya ito ay unconstitutional,” Casanova mentioned.

The KWF added that “Filipino” can still be used in English to refer to the national language, the people, culture, and nation.

The language body said the change was meant to recognize the country’s history and progress.

Casanova cited Article XIV, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution which stipulates that the national language of Pilipinas is Filipino.

Casanova further cited the Facebook post of former KWF Commisioner Dr. Ricardo Nolasco, “Bakit Pilipinas at hindi Filipinas?”

“Ang isa pang katibayan sa pagiging opisyal na katawagang Pilipinas ay ang Republic Act 8491 o ang Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines. Nakasaad dito ang opisyal na katawagan sa bansa ay ang Republika ng Pilipinas. Tanging ang Kongreso ang may Karapatan na palitan ang pangalan ng bansa,” Nolasco wrote.

Nolasco also raised the question that “Ang walang kamatayang tanong ay ano ang opisyal na tawag sa ating bansa? Kung hanggang ngayon ay iyon pa rin ang mga tanong natin, aba’y wala na bang iuunlad ang diskursong pangwika?

The term “Pilipinas,” was used starting 1941 when the abakada alphabet without the letter F was promoted for general usage.