The Philippines Government hits Madonna with criticism last Sunday for ridiculing and disrespecting the Philippine national flag with a stunt during a concert in Manila. The authorities said they would call on organizers of future events to avoid similar incidents.
Photos and video clip from one of her two concerts last week published in local media showed the 57-year-old pop icon draped in the Philippine flag while performing on stage.
Presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma said "Our flag law is strict as we want to instill respect for the Philippine flag. This should he made clear to organizers and performers in concerts so that there will be no repetition of the incident."
Coloma also said that the Aquino government wants to ban the Queen of Pop from performing in the Philippines because this flag stunt.
The chief of the Heraldry Section of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Teodoro Atienza, said the flag had been "ridiculed" by the singer on stage.
"They may face deportation and might not be able to return to the country. She also allowed the flag to touch the stage floor, which is another violation."
A 1998 law Republic Act No. 8491, section 34,which stipulates the code of the national flag, coat-of-arms, anthem and motto, "prohibits wearing the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform".
