ATOM laments BSP replacing heroes with wildlife on PH bills

The August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM), established after the assassination of former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., has expressed disapproval of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) decision to replace images of  Philippine heroes with local wildlife in its new series of polymer banknotes.

In a statement, ATOM questioned the implications of omitting national heroes from the banknotes.

“Seriously, are we really going to forget those who have fallen during the night? Do we really want a country devoid of heroes? Are they trying to make us forget that the blood of heroes runs in our veins so they  can replace it with the blood of slaves and let tyrants rule again?” the group asked in a statement.

ATOM thus urged Filipinos to continue honoring the memory and legacy of national heroes.

“May the legacy and spirit of all our martyrs and leaders about to be  removed from our bills continue to be remembered and serve as  inspiration in the hearts of our people.”

Likewise, the grandson of the late Senator Ninoy Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino expressed disappointment over the redesigned polymer banknotes featuring the country’s wildlife and flora.

“Now, they are changing our banknotes—a move initiated by the Duterte administration—so they don't have to face our heroes while betraying their sacrifices,” said Kiko Aquino Dee.

“They may not do better, but our heroes remind us that the Filipino people can.”

The polymer banknotes, introduced by the BSP with enhanced security and durability characteristics, feature the following designs:

• P1,000: Philippine Eagle and Sampaguita flower (released in April 2022),
• P500: Visayan Spotted Deer and Acanthephippium mantinianum,
• P100: Palawan Peacock-Pheasant and Ceratocentron fesselii,
• P50: Visayan Leopard Cat and Vidal’s lanutan.

The BSP explained that while the polymer series highlights the country’s biodiversity, the paper banknotes—featuring Philippine heroes—would remain valid and in circulation.

In defense of the redesign, the BSP emphasized the importance of showcasing various aspects of national pride.

“It will co-circulate so our paper banknotes featuring our Philippine heroes will still be there,” said Mary Anne Lim, BSP assistant governor.

“Ang aming stance talaga ay parehas na importante sa ating kultura at sa ating history [Our stance is they are both important to our culture and to our history]. And so, both are being honored and celebrated through our banknotes,” she added.

The enhanced new-generation paper currency series of 2020 still features Philippine leaders and heroes, such as: José Abad Santos, Vicente Lim, and Josefa Llanes Escoda in the P1,000 bill; and Ninoy and Cory Aquino in the P500 bill.

Other denominations highlight past presidents including Diosdado Macapagal, Manuel Roxas, and Sergio Osmeña.

Although the new polymer banknotes are being printed in Australia, the BSP said it will be cost efficient in the long run as they last longer than the paper banknotes. — DVM, GMA Integrated News