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Copyright © 2014 NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF THE PHILIPPINES

Illustrated by Eden Sarmiento

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copyright owner and publisher.

Recommended entry:
The flag and heraldic code of the Philippines, illustrated:

Rules and regulations implementing Republic Act No. 8491. -- Manila: National Historical Commission of the Philippines,
c2014.

pp. ; cm

1. Flags - Philippines. 2. Heraldry - Law and legislation - Philippines. 3. Republic Act No.8491. I. Title.

ISBN: xxx-xxx-xxx-xxx-x

Foreword



MARIA SERENA I. DIOKNO
CHAIR

Introduction

Heraldry is t he science and art o f symbo ls. It is subject t o inno vat io ns and t he neverending
t ransfo rmat io ns in cult ure, so ciet y, and go vernment . Heraldry was o riginally used t o
dist inguish warrio rs fro m different fact io ns. To day heraldry, is an impo rt ant means o f
ident ificat io n t o sho w o wnership, pledge, and marks o f aut ho rit y.

Philippine heraldry, as a so urce o f pro t o co l, is a co mbinat io n o f lo cal cust o ms, t radit io ns, and
decisio ns agreed upo n and pract iced. Heraldic pract ices are rampant in hist o ry t hat
whenever po lit cal o r so cial upheavals o ccur, eit her new symbo ls are int ro duced o r exist ing
ones are revised.

This book, The Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, Illustrated (Rules and Regulations
Implementing Republic Act 8491), is made wit h graphics and pho t o s t o help t he readers
underst and it s every pro visio n. Illust rat io ns made are o pinio ns and vies o f t he undersigned t o
help po rt ray t he message o f t he F lag and Heraldic Co de o f t he Philippines.



TEODORO S. ATIENZA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword
MARIA SERENA I. DIOKNO

Int ro duct io n
TEODORO S. ATIENZA

Rules and Regulat io ns Implement ing t he Co de o f t he Nat io nal F lag, Ant hem, Mo t t o , Co at -o f-
Arms, and o t her Heraldic It ems and Devices o f t he Philippines (R.A. No . 8491)

Republic Act No . 8491

APPENDICES Other Relevant Laws and Rules Affecting Philippine Heraldry and
Vexillary

Appendix No. 1
Exe cut ive Orde r No . 23 Descript io n and Specificat io ns o f t he F ilipino F lag (March 25, 1946)

Appendix No. 2
Exe cut ive Orde r No . 310 Creat ing t he Philippine Heraldry Co mmit t ee t o make a st udy o f
and make ways and means fo r t he ado pt io n o f Co at -o f- Arms o f t he different po lit ical
subdivisio ns, pro vinces, cit ies, and semi-go vernment al inst it ut io ns (December 4, 1946)

Appendix No. 3
Department Order No. 5 (Department of Education) Revised Filipino Language Version of
t he Philippine Nat io nal Ant hem (May 26, 1956)

Appendix No. 4
Pre side nt ia l De cre e No . 1 Reo rganizing t he Execut ive Branch o f t he Go vernment
(Sept ember 24, 1972)

Appendix No. 5
Exe cut ive Orde r No . 1010 Amending Execut ive Order No . 23 dat ed March 25, 1936
ent it led, “Descript io n and Specifico at io ns o f t he F ilipino F lag (F ebruary 25, 1985)

Appendix No. 6
Me mo ra ndum Orde r No . 205 Pro hibit io n against t he use o f t he President ial Seal, “Sagisag
ng Pangulo ,” in Office St at io naries and Unifo rms (No vember 25, 1988)

Appendix No. 7
Me mo ra ndum Circula r No . 92-30 Po licy guidelines o n t he creat io n, mo dificat io n, change,
and regist rat io n o f co rpo rat e seals o f lo cal go vernment unit s (June 8, 1992)

Appendix No. 8
Exe cut ive Orde r No . 179 Pro minent display o f t he Nat io nal F lag in all buildings,
est ablishment s, and ho mes fro m 28 May 1994 t o 12 June 1994 and every year t hereaft er,

and fo r o t her purpo ses (May 24, 1994)

Appendix No. 9
Exe cut ive Orde r No . 343 Ado pt ing t he Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat as t he o fficial
pledge of allegiance for all Filipinos (June 12, 1996)

Appendix No. 10
T he Philippine Nat ional Flag Specificat ion covered by Execut ive Order No. 1010, dat ed
Fe brua ry 25, 1985. Amending Execut ive Order 23 dat ed March 25, 1936 ent it led,
“Descript io n and Specificat io ns o f t he F ilipino F lag”
(Sept ember 16, 1968)

Appendix No. 11
Administ ra t ive Orde r No . 362 Creat io n o f a Co mmit t ee o n President ial Awards
(Sept ember 30, 1997)

Appendix No. 12
Exe cut ive Orde r No . 297 Regulat ing t he Manufact ure, Sale, Dist ribut io n, and Use o f t he
Philippine Nat io nal Po lice Unifo rms, Insignias, and o t her Acco ut rement s
(Oct o ber 4, 2000)

Appendix No. 13
Exe cut ive Orde r No . 292 Inst it ut ing t he “Administ rat ive Co de o f 1987”

Appendix No. 14
NHI Bo a rd Re so lut io n No . 2, 2003 A reso lut io n amending t he 4t h paragraph o f Sect io n 27
o f t he Implement ing Rules and Regulat io ns (IRR) o f R.A. No . 8491
(March 31, 2003)

Appendix No. 15
NHI Bo a rd Re so lut io n No . 2, 2004 A reso lut io n amending so me pro visio ns o f t he
Implement ing Rules and Regulat io ns (IRR) o f R.A. No . 8491
(April 16, 2004)

Appendix No. 16
Ka ut usa ng T a ga pa gpa ga na p Blg. 60 Nagpapahayag na ang Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas
ay dapat awit in lamang sa t it ik nit o ng Pilipino

Appendix No. 17
Pro cla ma t io n No . 17 Declaring t he t went y-eight h day o f May each year as Nat io nal F lag
Day.



RULE 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1.
Title - T hese rules shall be kno wn, cit ed and referred t o as t he “RULES AND
REGULAT IONS IMPLEMENT ING REPUBLIC ACT No. 8491, series of 1998, T HE CODE
OF T HE NAT IONAL FLAG, ANT HEM, MOT T O, COAT-OF-ARMS, AND OT HER HERALDIC
IT EMS AND DEVICES OF T HE PHILIPPINES,” hereinaft er called t he “Rules.”
Section 2.
Declaration of Policy and Objectives - It is t he po licy o f t he st at e t o herein prescribe t he
Co de o f t he Nat io nal F lag, Ant hem, Mo t t o , Co at -o f-Arms, and o t her Heraldic It ems and
Devices o f t he Philippines, ensure t he pro mo t io n and implement at io n o f it s co rrespo nding
rules and regulat io ns, and ado pt effect ive administ rat ive, regulat o ry, co o rdinat ive and
superviso ry pro grams and act ivit ies, where appro priat e, in co nfo rmit y wit h nat io nal
go vernment laws and po licies. F urt her, reverence and respect shall at all t imes be acco rded
t o t he flag, ant hem, and o t her nat io nal symbo ls which embo dy t he nat io nal ideals and
t radit io ns, and which express t he principles o f so vereignit y and nat io nal so lidarit y.
Section 3.
Scope of Application - T hese rules shall apply t o individuals, public and privat e ent it ies,
milit ary and po lice agencies, and o t her branches and/o r inst rument alit ies o f t he nat io nal and
lo cal go vernment including go vernment -o wned and/o r co nt ro lled co rpo rat io ns, and shall also
be o bserved in and wit hin t he ent ire t errit o ry o f t he Phillippines as such is defined in t he
co nst it ut io n and laws o f t he Republic o f t he Philippines.
Section 4.

Interpretation - In t he int erpret at io n o f t he pro visio ns o f Republic Act No . 8491, Series o f
1998, t he F lag and Heraldic Co de o f t he Philippines, hereinaft er called R.A. No . 8491, and o f
t hese rules, t hat int erpret at io n which will pro mo t e o r sust ain reverence and respect fo r t he
flag, t he ant hem, and o t her nat io nal symbo ls, all o f which embo dy nat io nal ideals and
t radit io ns, shall be given paramo unt co nsiderat io n.

RULE 2
T HE IMPLEMEN T IN G AGEN CY

Section 5.
The Implementing Agency - t he Na t io na l Hist o rica l Inst it ut e , hereinaft er referred t o as
t he Inst it ut e , shall be t he agency t asked t o implement t hese rules.
Section 6.
Scope of Powers and Functions - t he Inst it ut e shall perfo rm planning, mo nit o ring,
co o rdinat ing, implement ing, and po licyfo rmulat ing funct io ns, wherever and whenever
appro priat e, and, in t he pro cess, exercise administ rat ive, regulat o ry, and superviso ry
aut ho rit y o ver t he implement at io n o f t he pro visio ns o f R.A. No . 8491 wit hin t he Philippine
t errit o rial limit s, and in co nfo rmit y wit h nat io nal go vernment laws and po licies. Such po wers
and funct io ns shall include t he fo llo wing:
a . F o rmulat e, co o rdinat e, and regulat e t he implement at io n o f t he Co de o f t he Nat io nal F lag,
Ant hem, Mo t t o , Co at o f- Arms, and o t her Heraldic It ems and Devices o f t he Philippines,
co nsist ent wit h t he purpo ses and o bject ives o f R.A. No . 8491;
b. Plan, prepare, and co o rdinat e effect ive educat io nal and info rmat io n disseminat io n
st rat egies which shall increase t he level o f nat io nal awareness o f t hese Rules and o t her
implement ing det ails t hat may subsequent ly be fo rmulat ed;

c. Co o rdinat e and mo nit o r t he implement at io n o f t hese Rules and ensure t he co mpliance o f
all t he pro visio ns st ipulat ed under R.A. No . 8491; and deput ize, assign, and/o r designat e
go vernment agencies, no n-go vernment o rganizat io ns, majo r branches and unit s o f t he
Armed F o rces o f t he Philippines and t he Philippine Nat io nal Po lice, and o t her gro ups o r
individuals fo r t he purpo se o f implement ing, mo nit o ring, and co o rdinat ing t asks;
d. Set po licies and pro cedures co ncerning t he co ncept and design/ visual int erpret at io n o f
t he nat io nal mo t t o , co at -o f-arms, seals o f vario us lo cal go vernment unit s
(t o wn/cit y/pro vince) and o t her go vernment inst rument alit ies, medallio ns, awards, and o t her
fo rms and devices o f nat io nal reco gnit io n, and st rict enfo rcement t hereo f;
e . F o rmulat e and devise appro priat e legal pro cedures, assist ance and co o rdinat ing syst ems
fo r cases arising fro m t he vio lat io ns o f R.A. No . 8491, including appro priat e int egrat io n o f
t his law int o t he Sharia Co urt s; and
f. Perfo rm o t her relat ed funct io ns required t o achieve t he o bject ives o f R.A. No . 8491 and
t hese Rules.
Section 7.
Definition of Terms - Whenever used in t hese rules, t he t erm:

a . “Milit ary” shall mean all branches o f t he Armed F o rces o f t he Philippines, including t he
Philippine Nat io nal Po lice, t he Bureau o f Jail Management and Peno lo gy, and t he Bureau o f
F ire Pro t ect io n;

b. “F est o o n” shall mean t o hang in a curved shape bet ween t wo po int s as a deco rat io n;

c. “Nat io nal F lag” shall mean t he Nat io nal F lag and Ensign o f t he Philippines, unless st at ed
o t herwise, used o n land, air, and sea by public, privat e, and milit ary and shall refer t o t he flag
o r any o t her design t hat so resembles it as likely t o cause any perso n t o believe t hat it is t he
flag o r design st at ed, expressed, o r pro vided in t he Co nst it ut io n o f t he Philippines, R.A. No .
8491, and t hese Rules;

d. “F ly” shall mean t he part o f t he flag o ut side t he ho ist o r lengt h;

e . “Ho ist ” shall mean t he sleeve o r heading; part o f t he flag nearest t he st aff o r t he canvass
t o which t he halyard is at t ached;

f. “Symbo l” shall mean any co nvent io nal sign which reveals man’s achievement and hero ism
(fo r medals, o rders, and deco rat io ns), ident ificat io n o f aut ho rit y and a sign o f dignit y (fo r
co at -o f-arms, lo go , and insignia);

g. “Half-mast ” shall mean lo wering t he flag t o o ne-half t he dist ance bet ween t he t o p and
bo t t o m o f t he po le;

h. “Halyard” shall mean t he lo ng ro pe where t he flag fast ens and which runs up t he lengt h o f
t he flagpo le;

i. “Inclement weat her” shall mean t hat a t ypho o n signal is raised by t he lo calit y o r during
heavy do wnpo ur in t he area;



00:00 / 00:00

j. “Nat io nal Ant hem” shall mean t he “Lupang Hinirang,” t he Philippine Nat io nal Ant hem;

k. “Official residences” shall mean Malacañang, o t her go vernment o wned st ruct ures where
t he President resides, and o t her st ruct ures o ccupied by Philippine Co nsulat es o r Embassies
overseas;

l. “Places o f frivo lit y” shall mean places o f hilarit y marked by o r pro viding bo ist ero us
merriment o r recreat io n;

m. “Advert isement o r info mercial” shall mean advert isement s o r any info rmat io n mat erial in
print , radio , t elevisio n, cinema, video , and t he like, o ut do o r and elect ro nic media, seeking t o
pro mo t e individuals, ent it ies, pro duct s o r services, fo r co mmercial and/o r po lit ical purpo ses
o r info rmat io n campaigns;

n. “Heraldic it ems and devices” shall mean co at -o f-arms, seals, lo go s, insignia, badges,
flashes, pat ches, o rders and deco rat io ns, medals, st ars, cit at io ns, lapel pins, t ro phies, dry
wax o r wet seals, and imprint s o n let t erheads, envelo pes, and cards;

o . “Go vernment ent it ies” shall mean all branches o f go vernment , it s bureaus and at t ached
agencies, co nst it ut io nal o ffices, lo cal go vernment o ffices, go vernment o wned and/o r
co nt ro lled co rpo rat io ns, go vernment financial inst it ut io ns, st at e universit ies and co lleges, t he
Armed F o rces o f t he Philippines including it s basic co mpo nent unit s; and

p. “Vexillary it ems” shall mean nat io nal, lo cal, ho use flags, o r administ rat ive, inst it ut io nal,
co rpo rat e, and o t her o rganizat io nal banners.

RULE 3
CHAPT ER I
T HE N AT ION AL FLAG
A. DESIGN OF T HE N AT ION AL FLAG

Se ct io n 8. T he Nat io nal F lag shall be blue, whit e, and red wit h an eight -rayed go lden-yello w
sun, and t hree st ars t hat are five-po int ed, as co nsecrat ed and ho no red by t he peo ple.

B. HOIST IN G AN D DISPLAY OF T HE N AT ION AL FLAG

Se ct io n 9. T he Nat io nal F lag shall be displayed in all public buildings, o fficial residences,
public plazas, and inst it ut io ns o f learning everyday t hro ugho ut t he year.


Se ct io n 10. T he Nat io nal F lag shall be permanent ly ho ist ed, day and night , t hro ugho ut t he
year, in fro nt o f t he fo llo wing: at Malacañang Palace; Senat e o f t he Philippines building; Rizal
Mo nument in L unet a, Manila; Bo nifacio Mo nument in Calo o can Cit y; Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine
in Kawit , Cavit e; Baraso ain Church Hist o rical L andmark in Malo lo s, Bulacan; Marcela
Ago ncillo Hist o rical L andmark in Taal, Bat angas; To mb o f t he Unkno wn So ldier, Libingan ng

mga Bayani, Taguig, Met ro Manila; Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion, No rt h
Cemet ery, Manila; all int ernat io nal po rt s o f ent ry and all o t her places as may be designat ed
by t he Inst it ut e.
T he Nat io nal F lag o f t hese sit es shall be pro perly illuminat ed at night .

Se ct io n 11. T he Nat io nal F lag shall also be displayed in privat e buildings and residences o r
raised in t he o pen flag-st affs in fro nt o f said buildings every April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan); May
1 (L abo r Day); Nat io nal F lag Days fro m May 28 t o June 12 (Independence Day); last Sunday
o f August (Nat io nal Hero es Day); No vember 30 (Bo nifacio Day); and December 30 (Rizal
Day); and o n such o t her days as may be declared o r appro ved by t he President and/o r lo cal
chief execut ives.
T he Nat io nal F lag may also be raised and displayed at sunrise and lo wered at sunset and
t hro ugho ut t he year in t he o pen flagst aff in fro nt o f privat e buildings: Provided, t hat pro per
flag ceremo nies be o bserved in acco rdance wit h t hese Rules.
Se ct io n 12. All go vernment ent it ies sho uld o bserve flag days wit h appro priat e ceremo nies.
So cio -civic gro ups, no ngo vernment o rganizat io ns, and t he privat e sect o r are enjo ined t o
o bserve and co o perat e in making t he celebrat io n a success.

Se ct io n 13. T he Nat io nal F lag shall be flo wn o n all naval vessels and o n merchant ships o f
Philippine regist ry, o f mo re t han o ne t ho usand (1000) gro ss t o ns.

Milit ary, civil, o r st at e vessels sho uld fly t he Nat io nal F lag. Pleasure, merchant , fishing bo at s
o r yacht s are also enco uraged t o fly t he Nat io nal F lag.

On bo ard vessels o f Philippine regist ry, t he Nat io nal F lag shall be displayed o n t he flagst aff
at t he st ern when t he vessel is at ancho r. T he Nat io nal F lag shall be ho ist ed t o t he gaff at
t he aft ermast when t he vessel is at sea.

Se ct io n 14. On all aircraft s o f Philippine regist ry, t he Nat io nal F lag shall be pro minent ly
displayed ho rizo nt ally o n it s fuselage wit h t he ho ist side po int ing t o t he fo rward direct io n o f
t he plane.

Se ct io n 15. T he Nat io nal F lag, if flo wn fro m a flagpo le, shall have it s blue field o n t o p in t ime
o f peace and t he red field o n t o p in t ime o f war; if in a hanging po sit io n, t he blue field shall be
left (o bserver ’s po int o f view) in t ime o f peace, and t he red field t o t he left (o bserver ’s po int
o f view) in t ime o f war.

T he Nat io nal F lag co uld be kno t t ed t o signal t hat assist ance is badly needed.

Se ct io n 16. If plant ed o n t he gro und, t he flagpo le shall be at a pro minent place and shall be
o f such height as wo uld give t he Nat io nal F lag co mmanding po sit io n in relat io n t o t he
buildings in t he vicinit y. T he flagpo le must no t be o f equal height o r higher t han t he
Independence F lagpo le at t he Rizal Park, Manila (150ft ).

T he flagpo le t hat is plant ed o n t he gro und must be st raight and slight ly t apering at t he t o p.
T he minimum lengt h o f t he Nat io nal F lag is o ne-fo urt h (1/4) t he height o f t he flagpo le, while
maximum lengt h o f t he Nat io nal F lag is o ne-t hird (1/3) t he height o f t he flagpo le.

Se ct io n 17. When t he Nat io nal F lag is flo wn wit h flag o r flags o f o t her nat io ns, t he flags
must be o f equal size and o n separat e st affs o f t he same height . T he Nat io nal F lag shall be
ho ist ed first and lo wered last .

When displayed in a semi-circle o f flags wit h o t her co unt ries o r ho use flags, t he Nat io nal
F lag sho uld be at t he cent er.

When displayed in a circle o f flags wit h o t her co unt ries o r ho use flags, t he Nat io nal F lag
sho uld be flo wn o n t he flagpo le facing t he main ro ad (po int o f reference - Kilo met er 0, Rizal
Park, Manila); o r t he main ent rance o f t he building. T he flags o f o t her co unt ries o r ho use
flags sho uld be arranged co unt er-clo ckwise in alphabet ical o rder, by precedence, o r by
pro t o co l.

Se ct io n 18. When displayed in a ro w o r in a parade wit h flags o f o t her co unt ries, t he
Nat io nal F lag shall be o n t he left (o bserver ’s po int o f view) o f t he o t her flags. T he flags o f
o t her co unt ries sho uld be arranged in alphabet ical o rder fro m left t o right .

When displayed in a ro w o f ho use flags, t he Nat io nal F lag shall be in fro nt o f t he cent er o f
t he line o r o n t he left (o bserver ’s po int o f view) o f t he ro w. T he ho use flags sho uld be
arranged in alphabet ical o rder, by precedence o r by pro t o co l fro m left t o right (t he o bserver ’s
po int o f view)

When in a parade wit h ho use flags, t he Nat io nal F lag shall be in fro nt o f t he cent er o f t he
first line. T he ho use flags sho uld be arranged in alphabet ical o rder, by precedence o r by
pro t o co l o rder fro m left t o right (t he o bserver ’s po int o f view).

During special o ccasio ns, if t here is o nly o ne flagpo le, t he ho use flag may be flo wn at t he
same halyard wit h t he Nat io nal F lag but belo w t he lat t er and it canno t be bigger t han t he
Nat io nal F lag.

Se ct io n 19. A wo rn-o ut Nat io nal F lag sho uld no t be t hro wn away. It sho uld be burned
so lemnly, ashes co llect ed and buried. T he Nat io nal F lag shall be replaced immediat ely when
it begins t o sho w signs o f wear and t ear.

Se ct io n 20. T he Nat io nal F lag shall be raised at sunrise and lo wered at sunset . It shall be o n
t he mast at t he st art o f o fficial scho o l and o ffice ho urs and shall remain flying t hro ugho ut t he
day.
T he Nat io nal F lag shall no t be raised in inclement weat her. If already raised, t he Nat io nal
F lag shall no t be lo wered fo r t he who le day.

Se ct io n 21. T he Nat io nal F lag may be displayed:

a . Inside and/o r o ut side a building, o n st at io nary o r mo vable flagpo le. If t he Nat io nal F lag is
displayed indo o rs o n a flagpo le, it shall be placed at t he left o f t he o bserver as o ne ent ers
t he ro o m;

b. F ro m t he t o p o f a flagpo le, which shall be at a pro minent place o r a co mmanding po sit io n
in relat io n t o t he surro unding buildings;

c. F ro m a st aff pro ject ing upward fro m t he windo w sill, ro o f, cano py, balco ny, o r faç ade o f a
building;

d. In a suspended po sit io n fro m a ro pe ext ending fro m a building t o a po le erect ed away
fro m t he building;

e . F lat against t he wall vert ically wit h t he sun and t he st ars o n t o p;

f. Hanging vert ically in t he middle o f a t wo -way t raffic ro ad, t he blue field sho uld be po int ing
east . If t he ro ad is heading so ut h o r no rt h and if t he ro ad is heading east o r west , t he blue
field sho uld be po int ing no rt h; and

g. Hanging vert ically at t he sides o r middle o f t he o ne-way t raffic ro ad, t he blue field sho uld
be at t he left o f t he o bserver.
Se ct io n 22. T he Nat io nal F lag shall be ho ist ed t o t he t o p briskly and lo wered ceremo nio usly.

T he Nat io nal F lag must be pro perly fo lded befo re hanging at t he st art o f t he ceremo ny. It
shall no t be left hanging at t he base o f t he flagpo le while wait ing fo r t he flag ceremo ny.

T he Nat io nal F lag shall never t o uch anyt hing beneat h it such as t he base o f t he po le,
gro und, o r o t her o bject s.

Aft er being lo wered, t he Nat io nal F lag shall be handled and fo lded so lemnly as part o f t he
ceremony.

C. Conduct of Flag Raising and Lowering Ceremonies

Se ct io n 23. All go vernment o ffices, including nat io nal o r lo cal go vernment unit s and
inst it ut io ns, shall hencefo rt h o bserve t he flag raising ceremo ny every Mo nday mo rning and
t he flag lo wering ceremo ny every F riday aft erno o n.

T hese include privat e est ablishment s who fly t he Nat io nal F lag o n t he flagpo le in t heir
compound.

Primary and seco ndary scho o ls and o t her inst it ut io ns o f learning shall o bserve t he flag
ceremo ny as o rdered by t he Depart ment o f Educat io n and/o r t he Co mmissio n o n Higher
Educat io n.

Se ct io n 24. T he o bservance o f t he flag ceremo ny shall be simple and dignified.

Se ct io n 25. During t he flag raising ceremo ny, t he assembly shall st and in fo rmat io n facing
t he Nat io nal F lag. At t he mo ment t he first no t e o f t he Nat io nal Ant hem is heard, everyo ne in
t he premises shall co me t o at t ent io n. Mo ving vehicles shall st o p. All perso ns present shall
place t heir palms o ver t heir chest , t ho se wit h hat s shall unco ver. T ho se in milit ary service,
sco ut ing, securit y, and cit izens’ milit ary t raining unifo rms shall give t he salut e prescribed by
t heir regulat io ns, which salut e shall be co mplet ed upo n t he last no t e o f t he ant hem.

T he same pro cedure shall be o bserved when t he Nat io nal F lag is passing in review o r in
parade.

Se ct io n 26. During t he flag lo wering, t he Nat io nal F lag shall be lo wered so lemnly and slo wly
so t hat t he flag shall be do wn t he mast at t he so und o f t he last no t e o f t he Nat io nal Ant hem.
T ho se in t he assembly shall o bserve t he same depo rt ment o r shall o bserve t he same
behavio r as fo r t he flag raising ceremo ny.

D. Half-Mast

Se ct io n 27. T he Nat io nal F lag shall be flo wn at half-mast as a sign o f mo urning o n all t he
buildings and places where it is displayed, as pro vided, o n t he day o f t he o fficial
anno uncement o f t

a . T he President o r a fo rmer President fo r t en (10) days;

b. T he Vice-President , t he Chief Just ice o f t he Supreme Co urt , t he President o f t he Senat e,
and t he Speaker o f t he Ho use o f Represent at ives, fo r seven (7) days;

c. Cabinet Secret aries, Asso ciat e Just ices o f t he Supreme Co urt , Members o f t he Senat e
and Ho use o f Represent at ives, t he Chief o f St aff o f t he Armed F o rces o f t he Philippines,
and t he Direct o r-General o f t he Philippine Nat io nal Po lice, o r equivalent in rank, fo r five (5)
days;

d. Heads o f Nat io nal Go vernment Agencies, including Go vernment -o wned and co nt ro lled
co rpo rat io ns and go vernment financial inst it ut io ns, o r equivalent in rank, fo r t hree (3) days;

e . T he Co mmanding Generals o f t he Philippine Air F o rce and t he Philippine Army, t he F lag
Officer in Co mmand o f t he Philippine Navy, o r equivalent in rank, fo r t hree (3) days;

f. Go verno rs, vice-go verno rs, cit y and municipal mayo rs, cit y and municipal vice mayo rs, fo r
t hree (3) days;

g. Members o f t he Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panglungsod, and Sangguniang
Bayan, o n t he day o f int erment ;

h. Vet erans o f t he previo us wars1, Barangay Chairmen, and t he Barangay Co uncilmen o n t he
day o f int erment ;
i. F o rmer Nat io nal o r L o cal Go vernment Officials, appo int ed o r elect ed, o t her t han t ho se
specified abo ve, o n t he day o f int erment , wit hin t heir fo rmer respect ive t errit o rial jurisdict io ns
and by reso lut io n o f t heir respect ive Sanggunians;
j. Regio nal Direct o rs, superint endent s, superviso rs, principals, t eachers, and o t her scho o l
o fficials, o n t he day o f int erment and by o rder o f t he pro per scho o l aut ho rit ies co ncerned;
k. Recipient s o f nat io nal o rders and deco rat io ns, o n t he day o f int erment and by o rder o f t he
President o r Co ngress; and
l. Ot her perso ns t o be det ermined by t he Inst it ut e, including t he fo rmer Vice-President , t he
Chief Just ice o f t he Supreme Co urt , t he President o f t he Senat e, and t he Speaker o f t he
Ho use o f Represent at ives2 fo r a perio d o f less t han seven (7) days
In cases c t o e , t he Nat io nal F lag shall be flo wn at half-mast in fro nt o f t he building where
t he deceased o fficial held o ffice and in cases f t o h, t hro ugh Sanggunian Reso lut io n o r by
o rder o f t he L o cal Chief Execut ive.

T he Nat io nal F lag, when flo wn at halfmast , shall be first ho ist ed t o t he peak fo r a mo ment
t hen lo wered t o t he half-mast po sit io n. T he Nat io nal F lag shall again be raised t o t he peak
befo re it is lo wered fo r t he day.

3 T he Nat io nal F lag shall also be flo wn at half-mast during t he deat h anniversary o f hero es
and hero ines, calamit ies o r grave adversit y o f nat io nal o r int ernat io nal so lemnit y as o rdered
by t he Office o f t he President , as may be reco mmended by t he Co mmissio n.

4 T he Nat io nal F lag shall be permanent ly ho ist ed at half-mast day and night t hro ugho ut t he
year at t he To mb o f t he Unkno wn So ldier, Libingan ng mga Bayani, F o rt Bo nifacio , Taguig,
Met ro Manila; Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion, No rt h Cemet ery, Manila; and in
all memo rial cemet eries dedicat ed t o war vet erans. T he Nat io nal F lag o f t hese declared sit es
shall be pro perly illuminat ed at night .

E. Casket

Se ct io n 28. T he Nat io nal F lag may be used t o co ver t he casket s o f t he ho no red dead o f t he
milit ary, vet erans o f previo us wars, nat io nal art ist s, and o f civilians who have rendered
dist inguished service t o t he nat io n, as may be det ermined by t he lo cal go vernment unit
co ncerned. In such cases, t he Nat io nal F lag shall be placed such t hat t he whit e t riangle shall
be at t he head and t he blue po rt io n shall co ver t he right side o f t he casket . T he Nat io nal
F lag shall no t be lo wered t o t he grave o r allo wed t o t o uch t he gro und, but shall be fo lded
so lemnly and handed o ver t o t he heirs o f t he deceased o r next o f kin.
5 In an o pen co ffin, t o view t he co rpse, t he Nat io nal F lag shall be fo lded and placed o ver it .
No o bject must be put o n t o p o f t he Nat io nal F lag, except fo r religio us o bject s t hat
symbo lize “Go d abo ve Co unt ry.”

F. Pledge to the National Flag
Se ct io n 29. T he fo llo wing shall be t he Pledge o f Allegiance t o t he Nat io nal F lag:


6 T he pledge shall be recit ed right aft er t he singing o f t he Nat io nal Ant hem, t he t hro ng
st anding wit h t he right palm o pen, raised sho ulder high. Individuals who se fait h o r religio us
beliefs pro hibit t hem fro m making such pledge must no net heless sho w full respect by
st anding at at t ent io n.
G. National Flag Days

Se ct io n 30. T he perio d fro m May 28 t o June 12 o f each year is declared as Nat io nal F lag
Days, during which perio d all o ffices, agencies, and inst rument alit ies o f t he go vernment ,
business est ablishment s, inst it ut io ns o f learning, privat e buildings and ho mes are enjo ined t o
display t he Nat io nal F lag.
Se ct io n 31. T he go vernment o ffices and lo cal go vernment unit s co ncerned shall display t he
Nat io nal F lag o n main t ho ro ughfares, parks, plazas, and o t her public places.
H. Specifications of the National Flag


Section 32.
T he Nat io nal F lag shall have t he fo llo wing pro po rt io ns:
T he widt h (W) o f t he Nat io nal F lag and t he lengt h (L ). All t he sides o f t he whit e t riangle (W).

Section 33.
T he assigned cable numbers are list ed in t he Tent h Edit io n o f t he St andard Co lo r Reference
o f America, creat ed and issued by t he Co lo r Asso ciat io n o f t he Unit ed St at es, No . 343
L exingt o n Avenue, New Yo rk, New Yo rk, 10016, Series, 1981.

Se ct io n 34. In o rder t o est ablish unifo rm crit eria in t he making o f o ur Nat io nal F lag and t o
guarant ee it s durabilit y by t he use o f qualit y mat erials, t he fo llo wing st andards and
procedures shall be observed:

a . All requirement s fo r t he purchase o f t he Nat io nal F lag must be based o n st rict co mpliance
wit h t he design, co lo r, craft smanship, and mat erial requirement s o f t he go vernment ;

b. T he manufact urer shall send annually o ne met er fo r each co lo r (blue, red, whit e, and

go lden-yello w including canvas) o f t ext ile mat erial t o t he Indust rial Techno lo gy Develo pment
Inst it ut e (IT DI) o r t he Philippine Text ile Research Inst it ut e (PT RI) o f t he Depart ment o f
Science and Techno lo gy (DOST ) fo r evaluat io n. T he PT RI/IT DI shall evaluat e t he qualit y
and serviceabilit y o f said t ext ile mat erial;
c. F lag manufact urers shall apply fo r annual accredit at io n at t he Inst it ut e (Co mmissio n).
To get her wit h t heir applicat io n, t hey will submit t he PT RI/IT DI labo rat o ry t est result s, co py
o f business license, permit , co mpany pro file and o t her pert inent do cument s; and


d. All submit t ed sample/s o f t he Nat io nal F lag by accredit ed suppliers o ffered fo r purchase
fo r go vernment use shall be evaluat ed as t o design, co lo r, mat erials, and craft smanship
specificat io ns by t he Inst it ut e (Co mmissio n), t hro ugh it s Heraldry and Display Sect io n, which
shall st amp it s appro val o f disappro val o n t he canvas reinfo rcement o f t he Nat io nal F lag
sample submit t er. T he Nat io nal F lag sample/s shall be sent t o t he Inst it ut e (Co mmissio n) by
t he requisit io ning o ffice and no t by t he flag supplier.
Se ct io n 35. All deliveries o f t he Nat io nal F lags requisit io ned by go vernment ent it ies shall be
inspect ed by t he requisit io ning o ffice’s int ernal inspect o r and by t he Co mmissio n o n Audit
(COA) using t he Nat io nal F lag st amped “APPROVED” by t he Inst it ut e (Co mmissio n) as
reference.
T he int ernal inspect o r o f t he requisit io ning o ffice and t he COA, in case o f co nfusio n, may
send ano t her sample o f t he Nat io nal F lag picked at rando m fro m t he delivered flags fo r re-
evaluat io n by t he Inst it ut e.

Se ct io n 36. F o r effect ive info rmat io n disseminat io n, all accredit ed manufact urers are
required t o info rm all flag co nsumers o f t he pro visio ns o f t hese Rules.
Se ct io n 37. All go vernment ent it ies shall ensure t hat t he requirement s under t he Republic
Act No . 8491 and t hese Rules, wit h respect t o t he st andard requisit io ns and deliveries o f t he
Nat io nal F lags are st rict ly co mplied wit h.
Se ct io n 38. All depart ment s, agencies, o ffices, and inst rument alit ies o f t he go vernment ,
go vernment -o wned o r co nt ro lled co rpo rat io ns, lo cal go vernment unit s, including barangays,
shall include in t heir annual budget s t he necessary o ut lay fo r t he purchase o f t he Nat io nal
Flag.

I. Prohibited Acts

Se ct io n 39. It shall be pro hibit ed:

a . To mut ilat e, deface, t rample o n, cast co nt empt , o r co mmit any act o r o missio n cast ing
disho no r o r ridicule upo n t he Nat io nal F lag o r o ver it s surface;

b. To dip t he Nat io nal F lag t o any perso n o r o bject by way o f co mpliment o r salut e;
c. To use t he Nat io nal F lag:

1. As drapery, fest o o n, t ableclo t h;
2. As co vering fo r ceilings, wall, st at ues, o r o t her o bject s;

3. As a pennant o n t he ho o d, side, back, and t o p o f mo t o r vehicles;
4. As a st aff o r whip;

5. F o r unveiling mo nument s o r st at ues; and