Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines PDF

# “THE FLAG AND HERALDIC CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES.” ## Rules and Regulations Implementing REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491 ## Section 2 - Declaration of policy Reverence and respect shall at all time be accorded to the flag, the anthem, and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditio...

# “THE FLAG AND HERALDIC CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES.” ## Rules and Regulations Implementing REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491 ## Section 2 - Declaration of policy Reverence and respect shall at all time be accorded to the flag, the anthem, and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express principles of sovereignty and national solidarity. The heraldic items and devices shall seek to manifest the national virtues and to inculcate in the minds and hearts of our people a just pride in their native land, fitting respect and affection for the national flag and anthem, and the proper use of the national motto, coat of arms and other heraldic items and devices. # CHAPTER I ## THE NATIONAL FLAG ### A. Design of the National Flag **Section 8.** The National Flag shall be blue, white and red with an eight-rayed golden-yellow sun and three stars that are five-pointed, as consecrated and honored by the people. ### B. Hoisting and Display of the National Flag **Section 9.** The National Flag shall be displayed in all public buildings, official residences, public plazas, ***and*** institutions of learning everyday throughout the year. **Section 10.** The National Flag shall be permanently hoisted, day and night, throughout the year, in front of the following … - **Rizal Park** - **Congress of the Phil** - **Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine** - **Libingan ng mga Bayani** - **Barasoain Church** - **Rizal's House** - **Malacañang Palace** - **House of the Senate** - **Supreme Court** - **All International Ports** ... and all other places as may be designated by the Institute. The National Flag of these sites shall be properly illuminated or displayed during nighttime. **Section 11.** The National Flag shall also be displayed in private buildings and residences or raised in the open flag-staffs in front of said buildings every … and on such other days as may be declared or approved by the President and/or local chief executives. - **April 9: Araw ng Kagitingan** - **May 1: Labor Day** - **May 28-June 12: Flag Day to Independence Day** - **Last Sunday of August: National Heroes Day** - **November 30: Bonifacio Day** - **December 30: Rizal Day** - **November 1: All Saints Day** The National Flag may also be raised and displayed at sunrise and lowered at sunset and throughout the year in the open flagstaff in front of private buildings. ***Provided, that*** proper flag ceremonies be observed in accordance with these Rules. **Section 13. The National Flag shall be flown on all naval vessels and on merchant ships of Philippine registry, of more than one thousand (1,000) gross tons. - Military, civil or state vessels should fly the National Flag. - Pleasure, merchant and fishing boats or yachts are also encouraged to fly the National Flag. **Section 14.** On all aircraft of Philippine registry, the National Flag shall be prominently displayed horizontally on its fuselage with the hoist side pointing the forward direction. **Section 15.** The National Flag, if flown from a flagpole, shall have its blue field on top in time of peace and the red field on top in time of war; - If in a hanging position, the blue field shall be to the left (observer's point of view) in time of peace, and the red field to the left (observer's point of view) in time of war. The National Flag could be knotted to signal that assistance is badly needed. **Section 16.** If planted on the ground, the flagpole shall be at a prominent place and shall be of such height as would give the Flag commanding position in relation to the buildings in the vicinity. The flagpole must not be of equal height or higher than the Independence Flagpole at the Rizal Park, Manila (107ft). - The flagpole that is planted on the ground must be straight and slightly tapering at the top. - The minimum length of the National Flag is one-fourth (1/4) the height of the flagpole, while maximum length of the National Flag is one-third (1/3) the height of the flagpole. **Section 17.** When the National Flag is flown with flag or flags of other countries, the flags must be of equal size and on separate staffs of the same height. The National Flag shall be hoisted first and lowered last. - When displayed in a semi-circle of flags with other countries or house flags, the National Flag should be at the center. - When displayed in a circle of flags with other countries or house flags, the National Flag should be flown on the flagpole facing the main road (point of reference- Kilometer 0, Rizal Park, Manila); or in front of a monument; or the main entrance of the building. **Section 18.** When displayed in a row or in a parade with flags of other countries, the National Flag shall be on the left (observer's point of view) of the other flags. The flags of other countries should be arranged in alphabetical order from left to right. - When displayed in a row of house flags, the National Flag shall be in the front of the center of the line or on the left (observer's point of view) of the row. The house flags should be arranged in alphabetical order from left to right. - When carried in a parade with house flags, the National Flag shall be in front of the center of the line. The house flags should be arranged in alphabetical order, by precedence or by protocol order from left to right (the observer's point of view). **Section 19.** A worn out National Flag should not be thrown away. It should be burned solemnly, ashes collected and buried. - The National Flag shall be replaced immediately when it begins to show signs of wear and tear. **Section 20.** The National Flag shall be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. It shall be on the mast at the start of official school and office hours and shall remain flying throughout the day. - The National Flag shall not be raised in inclement weather. If already raised, the National Flag shall not be lowered for the whole day. **Section 21.** The National Flag may be displayed: - Inside and/or outside a building, on stationary or movable flagpole, it shall be placed at the left of the observer as one enters the room; - From the top of a flagpole, which shall be at a prominent place or a commanding position in relation to the surrounding buildings; - From a staff projecting upward from the window sill, roof, canopy, balcony, lamp post or facade of a building; - In a suspended position from a rope extending from a building to a pole erected away from the building; - Flat against the wall vertically with the sun and stars on top; - Hanging in a vertical position across a street, with the blue field pointing east, if the road is heading south or north or pointing north if the road is heading east or west. - Hanging vertically at the sides or middle of the one-way traffic road, the blue field should be at the left of the observer. **Section 22.** The National Flag shall be hoisted to the top briskly and lowered ceremoniously. - The Flag must be properly folded before hanging at the start of the ceremony. It shall not be left hanging at the base of the flagpole while waiting for the flag ceremony. - The National Flag shall never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, flood water or other objects. - After being lowered, the National Flag shall be handled and folded solemnly as part of the ceremony. ### C. Conduct of Flag Raising and Lowering Ceremonies **Section 23.** All government offices, including national or local government units and institutions, shall henceforth observe the flag raising ceremony every Monday morning and the flag lowering ceremony every Friday afternoon. ### D. HALF-MAST **Section 27.** The National Flag shall be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on all the buildings and places where it is displayed, as provided, on the day of the official announcement of the death of any of the following officials: - The President or a former President, for ten (10) days; - The Vice-President, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, for seven (7) days; and - Other persons to be determined by the Institute for any period less than seven (7) days. - Heads of National Government Agencies, including Government Owned and Controlled Corporations and Government Financial Institutions, or equivalent in rank, for three (3) days; - The Commanding Generals of the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Army and the Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, or equivalent in rank, for three (3) days; - Governors, Vice-Governors, city and municipal Mayors, city and municipal Vice-Mayors, for three (3) days; - Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Bayan, on the day of interment; - Veterans of the previous wars, the Barangay Chairmen and the Barangay Councilmen, on the day of interment; - Former National or Local Government Officials, appointed or elected, other than those specified above, on the day of interment, within their former respective territorial jurisdictions and by resolution of their respective Sanggunians; - Regional Directors, Superintendents, Supervisors, Principals, Teachers and other school officials, on the day of interment and by order of the proper school authorities concerned; - Recipients of medals, national orders and decorations, on the day of interment and by order of the President or the Congress; and... - The National Flag, when flown at half-mast, shall be first hoisted to the peak for a moment then lowered to the half-mast position. - The Flag shall again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. The National Flag shall also be flown at half-mast during the death anniversary of heroes and heroines, calamities or grave adversity of national or international solemnity as ordered by the Office of the President, as may be recommended by the Institute. - The National Flag shall be permanently hoisted at half-mast, day and night throughout the year and in all memorial cemeteries dedicated to war veterans. The Flag of these declared sites shall be properly illuminated at night. **Section 28.** The National Flag may be used to cover the caskets of the honored dead of the military; veterans of previous wars; national artists; and of civilians who have rendered distinguished service to the nation, as may be determined by the local government unit concerned. **Section 29.** The following shall be: ## Pledge of Allegiance to the National Flag ### “PANUNUMPA NG KATAPATAN SA WATAWAT” - Ako ay Pilipino - Buong katapatang nanunumpa - Sa watawat ng Pilipinas - At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag - Na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan - Na pinakikilos ng sambayanang - Maka-Diyos - Maka-tao - Makakalikasan at - Makabansa. # G. National Flag Days **Section 30.** The period from May 28 to June 12 of each year is declared as Flag Days, during which period all offices, agencies and instrumentalities of government, business establishments, institutions of learning and private homes are enjoined to display the National Flag. # I. Prohibited Acts **Section 39:** It shall be prohibited: - To wear the National Flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform. - Under any painting or picture - To place the National Flag on the flagpole lower than a foreign flag. - To use the flagpole for other purposes. - To place the flag on vehicles, except official vehicles - To use the National Flag for advertising or commercial purposes, including the use in newspapers, magazines, calendars and similar publications. - To use the National Flag for wrapping packages or boxes; containers for merchandise; for draping over counters; for use as tablecloths; as room decorations; for costumes; or display on any product. - The National Flag shall not be used in connection with any theatrical performance or entertainment, except: - At the beginning and the end of theatrical performances, motion picture exhibitions and similar entertainment and sports programs. - Radio and television broadcasting of national events or programs. <start_of_image> It shall be prohibited to use the National Flag for: - It shall be prohibited to use the National Flag for: - As a tablecloth - Under any painting or picture - As a costume for stage entertainment - For advertisement purposes. - As a window display - For wrapping packages - For decoration purposes - As a sign to be hanged in front of the building. # CHAPTER II ## THE NATIONAL ANTHEM **Section 40.** The National Anthem is entitled “Lupang Hinirang” **Section 41** The National Anthem shall be sung in the national language within or outside the country. **Section 42.** The rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe and in accordance with its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo that was adopted under Memorandum Circular No.60 dated December 19, 1963. **Section 43.** When the National Anthem is played at a public gathering, whether by a band or by singing or both, or reproduced by any means, the attending public shall sing the anthem. The singing must be done with fervor. As a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the National Flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or the conductor. At the first note, all persons shall execute a salute by placing their right palms over their chest. Those in military, scouting, citizen's military training and security guard uniforms shall give the salute prescribed by their regulations. The salute be completed upon the last note of the Anthem. The National Anthem shall not be played or sung for mere recreation, amusement or entertainment purposes except on the following occasions: - International competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; - National or local competitions; - During the "signing off" and "signing on" of television stations and radio broadcasting; - Before the initial and last screening of films or before the opening of theater performances; # CHAPTER VII ## PENALTIES **Section 48.** Failure or refusal to observe the provisions of this Act; and any violation of the corresponding rules and regulations issued by the Office of the President, shall after proper notice and hearing, be penalized as by public censure which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation. - Section 50 - Any person or juridical entity which violates any of the provisions of this act shall, upon conviction be punished by a fine of not less than P5,000.00 nor more than P20,000.00, or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court; Provided, that for any second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment shall always be imposed: Provided, further, That incase the violation is committed by a juridical person, the President or CEO thereof shall be liable. **Section 52 - The National Historical Institute, hereinafter referred to as the Institute, shall be responsible for the strict enforcement of the provisions of this Act. (NHCP)** # MARAMING SALAMAT PO