Journey frontman Arnel Pineda apologized to the National Historical Institute (NHI) for his “dissatisfactory performance” of the Philippine National Anthem at the recent match between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey.

"I apologize for my dissatisfactory performance dun sa fight ni Pacquiao and Clottey sa Dallas, Texas, according to their standards,” he said in an ABS-CBN News interview.

It is recalled that the institute is mulling over suing the Journey singer for singing the National Anthem “too slow,” as compared to its original march, 2/4 time signature tempo, as well as for belting out the last two words of the song.

Justice Secretary Alberto Agra said in an interview with GMA News on March 16 that he is still waiting for the NHI to file a complaint against the singer, saying, "The complaint will initially be brought at the prosecutors before it reaches my office."

The Pinoy international rock star, who has just arrived in the country on March 16, added, though, that he is not sorry for utilizing his “artistic freedom” to sing “Lupang Hinirang.”

“What can I do? I'm just doing my job... but then again hindi ako sorry kasi artistic freedom ko ‘yon. It doesn't make me less of a Filipino dahil sa nabago ang pagka-kanta. I was there as Filipino representing Pacquiao and the Philippines," the vocalist maintained.

NHI also criticized Arnel’s outfit during the March 13 (March 14 in the Philippines) fight, claiming that he should’ve worn the traditional Barong Tagalog (the country’s national costume) instead of his cowboy-inspired ensemble.

"Barong 'yon. 'Yon ang modern barong gawa ng Filipino designer na si Ariel Agasang, na siya ding gumawa ng damit para kay Piolo Pascual," he clarified.

According to Section 20 of Republic Act No. 8491 (An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat of Arms, and other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines), “The rendition of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”

Moreover, Section 37 emphasizes that “the rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.”

Section 50, meanwhile, states that violations made in any of the provisions of the RA will be fined “of not less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000) nor more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000),” and/or be punished by imprisonment “for not more than one (1) year.”

Arnel also affirmed what NHI claimed as an off-key moment for him in the last part of the song.

"Alam ko naman na nag-flat ako kasi ang parte na ‘yon na nagsimula nang magsigawan ang tao. Wala akong ear monitor. Hindi ko na marinig ang sarili ko noong pumapasok ako doon sa line na 'Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati't pagsinta...' Sumisigaw na sila, highlight ng melody ng kanta 'yon so unti-unti hindi ko naririnig," he recalled.

In the past, numerous other singers tapped by the boxing champ have also been “reprimanded” by the institute for their “too slow” or “jazzed up” or “changed melody” or “forgetting the lyrics” renditions. These are Geneva Cruz, Charice, Jennifer Bautista, Christian Bautista, La Diva, Lani Misalucha, and Martin Nievera.

Concert King Martin Nievera defended Arnel in an interview on “Umagang Kay Ganda,” March 16.

"Personally if you will ask me, I think Arnel has nothing to apologize for. He sang like a Journey singer, like a Filipino that we are proud to watch and I'm very proud of him," he said.

Martin is one of, if not the most, controversial of all the singers who sang in a Pacquiao fight. He was tapped last 2009 for Manny’s fight versus Ricky Hatton. The NHI, headed by famous historian Ambeth Ocampo, said the singer-composer’s rendition began too slow, then ended with stretched out high notes.

The award-winning hitmaker also defended Arnel’s off-pitch singing in some parts of the song.

"Well siguro si Arnel pinili niya ‘yong isang key na masyadong mataas ang umpisa. Pero feeling ko lang dahil siyempre lead singer ng Journey, rock and roll ‘yan. Ang mga rockers kasama sa boses nila 'yan na may konting basag o kanting paos o konting crack sa voice so parang poetic license ‘yon para sa isang rock singer katulad ni Arnel," he explained.

Singing live and in front of a massive audience—a 51,000 crowd at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Texas, to be exact—may have also caused Arnel to feel at least a bit of nervousness, Martin surmised.

"Kasama din ‘yon na may konting nerves at konting excitement din. Siyempre, maraming pride ‘yon na tumatakbo sa utak at puso niya. May pride din. Kasama din ‘yon sa 51,000 screaming fans.”

Albeit the NHI has consistently criticized Filipino singers for their own versions of the anthem composed by Julian Felipe and Jose Palma, none of them has been officially sued. At least not yet.