Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino reverts to use of 'Pilipinas,' does away with 'Filipinas'

The country is "Pilipinas," not "Filipinas." Its people are called "Pilipino," not "Filipino" — this was the new ruling bared by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), undoing a prior decision by the body’s previous leadership.

In a press conference today, KWF commissioner Arthur Casanova said that they have decided to revert to using "Pilipinas" and "Pilipino" when talking about the country and the people in the local language, which is "Filipino."

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

“Ang ating pangunahing batayan ay ang Saligang Batas ng 1987. Yun lang,” Casanova said.

He cited Article XVI, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution that said, “Ang wikang pambansa ng Pilipinas ay Filipino.”

In 2013, KWF, which was headed that time by National Artist Virgilio Almario, decided to use “Filipinas” instead of “Pilipinas” when referring to the country. 

In a decision at that time, KWF said the change was meant to recognize the country’s history and progress.

But Casanova said that “Filipinas” is not in the Constitution.

“Ang pagbabalik po sa “F” uli kung di pa namin nabago ay parang isang paulit-ulit na awit na nakakasawa na,” said Casanova.

“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.”