The new Philippine polymer banknotes, while aesthetically pleasing, have sparked debate about their symbolism and the potential impact on historical narratives.
The latest polymer banknote series is described as a reflection of the nation’s strength, ingenuity, and progress. Let’s get one thing out of the way: the new Philippine polymer currency design looks vibrant and exciting. The fauna aspects of Philippine biodiversity exude a certain charm. Though the old paper currency is still circulating, the polymer currency will eventually become dominant, and the faces on the paper money will ultimately fall into disuse.
While truly eye-catching, what price does this change in the polymer currency design hold? People have been drawing political lines with these new designs. Some say it was the Duterte administration that kicked off the dehumanization of our money by replacing the faces of notable Filipinos with animals. From the 1,000-peso bill, heroism has been downgraded to make way for animals.This shift through animals started earlier than Duterte, but with good reason. The replacement of a person with an animal began in 2010 during the PNoy Aquino administration. The 200-peso bill featured former President Diosdado Macapagal on the front, with an image of his daughter, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA), taking her oath at EDSA 2 after the ouster of President Joseph Estrada, on the back. GMA was replaced by a tarsier, which is justified since you cannot have a living or former head of state on Philippine currency. This is why former President Corazon Aquino appeared next to her slain husband, Ninoy Aquino, on the 500-peso bill after her passing. Aside from the tarsier being a vast improvement, GMA would not align with the heroics and leadership of some of the personalities on Philippine peso bills. Replacing faces of heroism and notability seems innocuous. However, this is another form of historical revisionism, silencing and/or diminishing the legacy of their service to the nation and its people
Philippine Currency Polymer Banknotes Historical Revisionism Political Symbolism Duterte Administration
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