The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas continued to pursue a damage control tactic against public outcry over its decision to replace the images of heroes and former presidents with animals in the newly-designed polymer peso bills it started to release.

However, the defensive stance of the BSP appeared to evade the issue as the agency was unable to make a convincing argument about its preference for images of animals over Philippine martyrs in the polymer notes.

On Thursday (December 26), the BSP reported a significant decrease in counterfeit banknotes, claiming that only one fake PHP1,000 polymer bill had been detected from the 82 million notes it has circulated.

Earlier, the BSP stated that more Filipinos approved of its decision to circulate PHP1,000 polymer banknotes.

Citing its own survey, the BSP said polymerization of peso banknotes is supported by 68.3 percent of respondents. This is a huge improvement from the 38 percent approval rating it received in 2023.

The BSP also reported the advantage of using PHP1,0000 polymer banknotes compared to its paper counterpart.

According to the central bank a study conducted by the Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research of De la Salle University indicated that the global warming potential of the polymer banknotes is 38.36 lower than paper money.

Further, it claimed that its own research indicated that polymer banknotes are durable compared to paper bills, saying that the former can last for about 7.5 years while the latter, only 1.5 years.

The BSP also cited a Department of Health claim that polymer banknotes are resistant to damage and dirt caused by water, oil and grime.

The BSP has unveiled the new designs for Philippine banknotes for 50, 100, and 500 peso bills as it eyed the completion of the First Philippine Banknote Series

Earlier, the August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) slammed the BSP’s decision to replace Filipino heroes and instead feature animals in the design of the polymer banknotes.

Organized as a result of the murder of the late Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., noted that the BSP move appeared to support alleged attempts by the family of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. to “rewrite history and erase from our collective memory the heroes who bravely fought for our freedom.”

Marcos, father of incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has been widely suspected of the Aquino’s assassination.

o’s wife, the late former President Corazon C. Aquino, helped topple the Marcos administration.

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