ebook

6. As t rademark, o r fo r indust rial, co mmercial, o r agricult ural labels o r designs.
d. To display t he Nat io nal F lag:

1. Under any paint ing o r pict ure;

2. Ho rizo nt ally. It shall always be ho ist ed alo ft and be allo wed t o fall freely;

3. Belo w any plat fo rm; o r
4. In disco t heques, co ckpit s, night and day clubs, casino s, gambling jo int s, and places o f vice

o r where frivo lit y prevails.

e . To wear t he Nat io nal F lag in who le o r in part as a co st ume o r unifo rm;

f. To add any wo rd, figure, mark, pict ure, design, drawings, advert isement , o r imprint o f any
nat ure o n t he Nat io nal F lag;

g. To print , paint , o r at t ach represent at io n o f t he Nat io nal F lag o n hankerchiefs, napkins,
cushio ns, and art icles o f merchandise;

h. To display in public any fo reign flag, except in embassies and o t her diplo mat ic
est ablishment s, and in o ffices o f int ernat io nal o rganizat io ns;

i. To use o r display o r be part o f any advert isement o r info mercial; and
j. To display t he Nat io nal F lag in fro nt o f buildings o r o ffices o ccupied by aliens.

RULE 4
CHAPT ER II
T HE N AT ION AL AN T HEM

00:00 / 00:00

Se ct io n 40. T he Nat io nal Ant hem is ent it led, “Lupang Hinirang.”

Se ct io n 41. T he Nat io nal Ant hem shall always be sung in t he nat io nal language wit hin o r
o ut side t he co unt ry. T he fo llo wing shall be t he lyrics o f t he Nat io nal Ant hem:

Bayang Magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan,
Alab ng puso
Sa dibdib mo’y buhay.

Lupang Hinirang
Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig
Di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok,
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughay,
May dilag at tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y
Tagumpay na nagniningning;

At bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma’y di magdidilim.
Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati’t pagsinta
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo,
Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi,
Ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo.
Se ct io n 42. T he rendit io n o f t he Nat io nal Ant hem, whet her played o r sung shall be in
acco rdance wit h t he musical arrangement and co mpo sit io n o f Julian F elipe and in
acco rdance wit h it s o riginal F ilipino lyrics and march t empo t hat was ado pt ed under
Memo randum Circular No . 60 dat ed December 19, 1963.

CON DUCT IN RELAT ION T O T HE N AT ION AL AN T HEM

Se ct io n 43. When t he Nat io nal Ant hem is played at a public gat hering, whet her by a band o r
by singing o r bo t h, o r repro duced by any means, t he at t ending public shall sing t he ant hem.
T he singing must be do ne wit h fervo r.
As a sign o f respect , all perso ns shall st and at at t ent io n and face t he Nat io nal F lag, if t here
is o ne displayed, and if t here is no ne, t hey shall face t he band o r t he co nduct o r. At t he first
no t e, all perso ns shall execut e a salut e by placing t heir right palms o ver t heir chest s. T ho se
in milit ary, sco ut ing, cit izen’s army t raining, and securit y guard unifo rms shall give t he salut e
prescribed by t heir regulat io ns. T he salut e shall be co mplet ed upo n t he last no t e o f t he

Nat io nal Ant hem.
7 When t he Nat io nal Ant hem is t o be played o r sung wit h t he Ant hem o f any co unt ry, t he
Nat io nal Ant hem shall be sung first .
T he Nat io nal Ant hem shall no t be played o r sung fo r mere recreat io n, amusement o r
ent ert ainment purpo ses except o n t he fo llo wing o ccasio ns:

a . Int ernat io nal co mpet it io ns where t he Philippines is t he ho st o r has a represent at ive;

b. Nat io nal o f lo cal co mpet it io ns;

c. During t he “signing o ff” and “signing o n” o f radio and t elevisio n bro adcast ;

d. Befo re t he init ial and last screening o f films o r befo re t he o pening o f t heat er
performances;
e . Civic act ivit ies, cult ural sho ws o r present at io ns; and
f. Ot her o ccasio ns as may be allo wed by t he Inst it ut e.
Se ct io n 44. All o fficials and emplo yees o f t he nat io nal and lo cal go vernment s, and any
agencies o r inst rument alit ies t hereo f, including go vernment -o wned o r co nt ro lled
co rpo rat io ns, inst it ut io ns o f learning, and privat ely-o wned ent it ies o r o ffices displaying t he
Nat io nal F lag are hereby direct ed t o co mply st rict ly wit h t he rules prescribed fo r t he rendit io n
o f t he Nat io nal Ant hem.

RULE 5
CHAPT ER III
T HE N AT ION AL MOT T O

Se ct io n 45. T he Nat io nal Mo t t o shall be “MAKA-DIYOS, MAKA-T AO,
MAKAKALIKASAN, AT MAKABANSA.”

RULE 6
CHAPT ER IV
T HE N AT ION AL COAT-OF-ARMS

Se ct io n 46. T he Nat io nal Co at -o f-Arms shall have:
8 Paleways o f t wo (2) pieces, azure and gules; a chief argent st udded wit h t hree (3) mullet s
equidist ant fro m each o t her; and, in po int o f ho no r, o vo id argent o ver all t he sun rayo nnant
wit h eight mino r and lesser rays. Beneat h shall be t he scro ll wit h t he wo rds “REPUBLIKA NG
PILIPINAS,” inscribed t hereo n.

RULE 7
CHAPT ER V
T HE GREAT SEAL

Se ct io n 47. T he Great Seal shall be circular in fo rm, wit h t he arms as described in t he
preceding sect io n, but wit ho ut t he scro ll and t he inscript io n “REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS”

t hereo n. Surro unding t he who le shall be a do uble marginal circle wit hin which shall appear
t he wo rds, “REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS.”
T he Great Seal shall bear t he Nat io nal Mo t t o .
Se ct io n 48. T he Great Seal shall be affixed t o o r placed upo n all co mmissio ns signed by t he
President and upo n such o t her o fficial do cument s and papers o f t he Republic o f t he
Philippines as may be pro vided by law, o r as may be required by cust o m and usage. T he
President shall have cust o dy o f t he Great Seal.

RULE 8
CHAPT ER VI
OFFICIAL SEALS AN D OT HER HERALDIC IT EMS AN D DEVICES

Se ct io n 49. Any branch o f t he go vernment , whet her nat io nal o r lo cal, go vernment -o wned o r
co nt ro lled co rpo rat io ns, st at e co lleges and universit ies, including t he milit ary, may ado pt
appro priat e co at -o f-arms, seal, lo go , insignia, badges, pat ches, banners and init iat e awards,
t ro phies, cit at io ns, o rders o r deco rat io ns, as may be aut ho rized by t he Office o f t he
President o r by Co ngress.

Se ct io n 50. T hese heraldic devices and it ems shall be filed wit h t he Inst it ut e fo r reco rding
and evaluat io n as t o precedence, design, cust o ms, and t radit io ns.
T he applicat io n fo r appro val o f design and specificat io n o f t he pro po sed heraldic it ems and
devices shall be suppo rt ed wit h t he fo llo wing do cument s:

a . Orders, o r any fo rm o f grant s, laws o f aut ho rit y o r creat io ns;
b. Brief hist o rical backgro und, symbo lism, and significance o f every design co mpo nent ; and
c. Pho t o graphs o f exist ing st ruct ures, o bject s, scenic/t o urist spo t s, et c. t o be inco rpo rat ed
in t he design.
T he Inst it ut e shall reco mmend such heraldic design t o get her wit h t he needed do cument s t o
t he Office o f t he President o r Co ngress fo r final appro val.
T he appro ved design shall be ret urned t o t he Inst it ut e fo r pro per reco rding in t he Nat io nal
Regist ry o f Heraldic It ems and Devices and fo r t ransmit t al t o t he request ing go vernment
ent it y.
Se ct io n 51. To co nfo rm t o t he basic heraldic t radit io ns, t he fo llo wing shall be o bserved in
t he design, creat io n, mo dificat io n, revisio n, and appro val o r heraldic it ems and devices:

a . It may feat ure eit her abst ract o r nat ural emblems/ visuals, represent ing significant
aspect s, o r event s represent at ive o r relat ed t o it s hist o ry, mandat es, dut ies, funct io ns and
visions;
b. Co mpo nent s o f heraldic designs must feat ure indigeno us F ilipino cult ure, values, hist o ry,
t radit io ns, and sense o f nat io nalism;

c. Every co mpo nent must be reco gnizable as if it is rendered o r reduced t o it s no rmal
required sizes;

d. No perso nal heraldic devices shall be allo wed except t he seals o f t he President and t he
Vice-President ;
e . Symbo ls, names, init ials, lo go s, pict ures, silho uet t es o r images o f living perso ns shall no t
be feat ured in t he design;

f. T he name o f t he go vernment ent it y o r t it le o f heraldic it ems and devices must be in
pro minent po sit io n;

g. All heraldic it ems and devices, including ribbo ns o r sashes, must be unique fro m each
o t her;

h. T he Nat io nal Co at -o f-Arms, which may o r may no t include t he scro ll, when used as t he
main part o r as a co mpo nent o f t he seal, must o ccupy t he place o f ho no r. It shall be used
o nly by t he majo r branches o f t he go vernment ;

i. In using t he Nat io nal Co at -o f-Arms o r t he Great Seal, administ rat ive/co rpo rat e seals,
lo go s, and insignia fo r numismat ic purpo ses, wet o r dry seals and paint ed o r print ed in
mo no chro me, t inct ure represent at io ns shall be used;

j. T he use o f t he Nat io nal F lag is pro hibit ed except where t he flag has beco me part o f it s
hist o ry;

k. T he mo t t o , t it le, o r phrase t o be inco rpo rat ed in t he heraldic it ems and devices may be in
t he nat io nal language o r in any lo cal dialect ; and

l. T hese heraldic it ems and devices shall no t be revised o r changed mo re t han o nce every
t en (10) years.

9Se ct io n 52. T he use o f t he Nat io nal Co at -o f- Arms, t he Great Seal,
administ rat ive/co rpo rat e seals, lo go s and insignia in t he let t erheads, st at io naries, name
cards, greet ing cards, and envelo pes shall be fo r o fficial purpo ses o nly.

9 T he use o r display o f t he Nat io nal Co at -o f- Arms, t he Great Seal, administ rat ive/co rpo rat e
seals, lo go s, and insignia as t rademarks, advert isement s, o r labels fo r co mmercial, indust rial,
o r agricult ural purpo ses by privat e perso ns, co rpo rat io ns, o r asso ciat io ns, and t he print ing
and st amping o f t he same o n art icles o r co mmo dit ies int ended fo r sale, bart er, o r exchange
shall be pro hibit ed.

9Section 53. The recommended sizes of dry seal for the Great Seal, 3 ; corporate or
administrative seals for Department level, 2 3/4 ; and Bureau/ LGU levels, 2 .

Se ct io n 54. All go vernment ent it ies including t he milit ary are hereby o rdered t o purchase all
heraldic it ems and devices fro m manufact urers accredit ed and aut ho rized by t he Inst it ut e.

Se ct io n 55. Engravers o r manufact urers shall apply fo r annual accredit at io n at t he Inst it ut e.
To get her wit h t heir applicat io n, t he will also submit co pies o f business license, permit ,
co mpany pro file wit h list o f heraldic it ems and devices t hey made fo r t he year and o t her
pert inent do cument s.

Such it ems and devices shall be subject t o inspect io n by t he purchasing agency’s int ernal
inspect o r and t he COA represent at ive using t he design and specificat io ns appro ved by t he
Office o f t he President o r by Co ngress, t hro ugh t he Inst it ut e.
Any vio lat io n o f R.A. No . 8491 o r t hese Rules shall be a gro und fo r suspensio n, revo cat io n
o r no nrenewal o f accredit at io n.

Se ct io n 56. No go vernment o fficial o r emplo yee shall accept any o rders o r deco rat io ns fro m
any fo reign go vernment wit ho ut t he co nsent o f Co ngress, and wit ho ut t he prio r evaluat io n
and do cument at io n o f such o rder o r deco rat io n by t he Inst it ut e.
Se ct io n 57. Heraldic and vexillary designs and/ o r it ems, including t he Nat io nal Mo t t o ,
Nat io nal Ant hem, and Pledge o f Allegiance t o t he Nat io nal F lag shall no t be used o r
emplo yed fo r numismat ic, philat elic, advert isement and/o r any info rmat ive purpo ses unless
duly appro ved in writ ing by t he Inst it ut e, t hro ugh it s Heraldry and Display Sect io n.

RULE 9
CHAPT ER VII
PEN ALT IES

Se ct io n 58. F ailure o r refusal t o o bserve t he pro visio ns o f R.A. No . 8491, and/o r any
vio lat io n o f t hese Rules shall, aft er pro per no t ice and hearing, be penalized as st ipulat ed in
R.A. No. 8491.

RULE 10
CHAPT ER VIII
EFFECT IVIT Y

Se ct io n 59. Effectivity - T hese Rules shall be effect ive fift een (15) days aft er t he appro val
o f t he Office o f t he President and filing wit h Co ngress o f t he Philippines and t he Universit y o f
t he Philippines L aw Cent er.

RULE 11
CHAPT ER IX
AMEN DMEN T OF RULES

Se ct io n 60. Amendments - T he Chairman and Execut ive Direct o r shall have t he aut ho rit y
t o amend, revise, repeal, o r o t herwise mo dify t hese RUL ES o r any pro visio n t hereo f, as may
be deemed necessary t o achieve t he o bject ives o f t he R.A. No . 8491 and t hese Rules.

ISSUED t his 30t h day o f January, t wo t ho usand and t wo , in t he Cit y o f Manila, t he
Philippines.




OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Appro ved by Aut ho rit y o f t he President :

Recommending Approval:


PABLO S. TRILLANA III
Chairman

and Execut ive Direct o r


ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Execut ive Secret ary



S. No. 630 Republic of the Philippines
H. No. 2586 Co ngress o f t he Philippines

Met ro Manila

Tenth Congress
T hird Regular Session


Begun and held in Met ro Manila, o n Mo nday t he t went y-eight h day o f July, ninet een hundred
and ninet y-seven.


[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491]

AN ACT PRESCRIBING T HE CODE OF T HE NAT IONAL FLAG, ANT HEM, MOT T O,
COAT-OFARMS AND OT HER HERALDIC IT EMS AND DEVICES OF T HE PHILIPPINES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECT ION 1. Short Title - This act shall be known as t he “Flag and Heraldic Code of t he
Philippines.”

SECT ION 2. Declaration of Policy - Reverence and respect shall at all t imes be accorded t he
flag, t he 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 vereignt y and nat io nal so lidarit y. T he heraldic it ems
and devices shall seek t o manifest t he nat io nal virt ues and t o inculcat e in t he minds and
heart s o f o ur peo ple a just pride in t heir nat ive land, fit t ing respect and affect io n fo r t he
nat io nal flag and ant hem, and t he pro per use o f t he nat io nal mo t t o , co at -o f-arms, and o t her
heraldic it ems and devices.

SECT ION 3. Definition of Terms - Whenever used in t his Act , 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. “F lag” shall mean t he Philippine Nat io nal F lag, unless st at ed o t herwise;

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

f. “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 st aff;

g. “Ho ist ” shall mean t he 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;

h. “Inclement Weat her” shall mean t hat a t ypho o n signal is raised in t he lo calit y;

i. “Nat io nal Ant hem” shall mean t he Philippine Nat io nal Ant hem;

j. “Official Residences” shall mean Malacañang, and 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 t he Philippine Co nsulat e o r
Embassies abroad;

k. “Places o f F rivo 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; and

l. “Inst it ut e” shall mean t he Nat io nal Hist o rical Inst it ut e.

CHAPT ER I
T HE N AT ION AL FLAG

A. Design of the National Flag

SECT ION 4. The flag of t he Philippines shall be blue, whit e, and red wit h an eight -rayed
go lden-yello w sun and t hree five-po int ed st ars, as co nsecrat ed and ho no red by t he peo ple.

B. Hoisting and Display of the National Flag

SECT ION 5. The Flag shall be displayed in all public buildings, official residences, public
plazas, and inst it ut io ns o f learning everyday t hro ugho ut t he year.

SECT ION 6. The flag shall be permanent ly hoist ed, day and night t hroughout t he year, in
fro nt o f t he fo llo wing: at Malacañang Palace; t he Co ngress o f t he Philippines building;
Supreme Co urt building; t he Rizal Mo nument in L unet a, Manila; Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit ,
Cavit e; Baraso ain Shrine in Malo lo s, Bulacan; t he To mb o f t he Unkno wn So ldier, Libingan ng
mga Bayani; Mausoleo de los Veteranos dela Revolucion; 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 flag shall be illuminat ed at night .

SECT ION 7. The flag shall also be displayed in privat e buildings and residences or raised inn
t he o pen flag-st affs in fro nt o f said buildings every April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan); May 1 (Labor
Day); May 28 (National Flag Day) t o June 12 (Independence Day); and December 30 (Rizal
Day); and o n such o t her days as may be declared by t he President and/o r lo cal chief
execut ives.

T he flag may also be displayed t hro ugho ut t he year in privat e buildings o r o ffices o r raised in
t he o pen o n flag-st affs in fro nt o f privat e buildings: Provided, t hat t hey o bserve flag-raising
ceremo nies in acco rdance wit h t he rules and regulat io ns t o be issued by t he Office o f t he
President .

SECT ION 8. All government agencies and inst rument alit ies, and local government offices,
go vernment -o wned co rpo rat io ns and lo cal go vernment unit s are enjo ined t o o bserve flag day
wit h appro priat e ceremo nies. So cio -civic gro ups, no n-go vernment o rganizat io ns and t he
privat e sect o r are exho rt ed t o co o perat e in making t he celebrat io ns a success.

SECT ION 9. The flag shall be flown on merchant ships of Philippine regist ry of more t han
o ne t ho usand (1000) gro ss t o ns and o n all naval vessels.

On bo ard naval vessels, t he flag shall be displayed o n t he flagst aff at t he st ern when t he ship
is at ancho r. T he flag shall be ho ist ed t o t he gaff at t he aft ermast when t he ship is at sea.

SECT ION 10. The flag, if flown from a flagpole, shall have it s blue field on t op in t ime of
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 t o
t he right (left o f t he o bserver) in t ime o f peace, and t he red field t o t he right (left o f o bserver)
in t ime o f war.

T he flagpo le st aff must be st raight and slight ly t apering at t he t o p.

SECT ION 11. If plant ed on t he ground, t he flagpole shall be at a prominent place and shall
be o f such height as wo uld give t he flag co mmanding po sit io n in relat io n t o t he buildings in
t he vicinit y.

If at t ached t o a building, t he flagpo le shall be o n t o p o f it s ro o f o r ancho red o n a sill
pro ject ing o n an angle upward.

If o n st age o r plat fo rm o r go vernment o ffice, t he flag shall be at t he left (facing t he st age) o r
t he left o f t he o ffice upo n ent ering.

SECT ION 12. When t he Philippine flag is flown wit h anot her flag, t he flags, if bot h are
nat io nal flags, must be flo wn o n separat e st affs o f t he same height and shall be o f equal
size. T he Philippine flag shall be ho ist ed first and lo wered last .

If t he o t her flag is no t a nat io nal flag, it may be flo wn in t he same lineyard as t he Philippine
flag but belo w t he lat t er and it canno t be o f great er size t han t he Philippine flag.

SECT ION 13. When displayed wit h anot her flag, t he Philippine flag shall be on t he right side
o f t he o t her flag. If t here is a line o f o t her flags, t he Philippine flag shall be in t he middle o f

t he line.

When carried in a parade wit h flags, which are no t nat io nal flags, t he Philippine flag shall be
in fro nt o f t he cent er o f t he line.

SECT ION 14. A flag worn out t hrough wear and t ear shall not be t hrown away. It shall be
so lemnly burned t o avo id misuse o r desecrat io n. T he flag shall be replaced immediat ely when
it begins t o sho w signs o f wear and t ear.

SECT ION 15. The flag shall be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset . It shall be on t he
mast at t he st art o f o fficial o ffice ho urs, shall remain flying t hro ugho ut t he day.

SECT ION 16. The flag may be displayed:

a . Inside o r o ut side a building o r o n a st at io nary flagpo le. If t he flag 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 building;

c. F ro m a st aff pro ject ing upward fro m t he windo w sill, 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 st ars o n t o p; and

f. Hanging in a vert ical po sit io n acro ss a st reet , wit h t he blue field po int ing east , if t he ro ad is
heading so ut h o r no rt h, o r po int ing no rt h if t he ro ad is heading east o r west .

T he flag shall no t be raised when t he weat her is inclement . If already raised, t he flag shall no t
be lowered.

SECT ION 17. The flag shall be hoist ed t o t he t op briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

T he flag shall never t o uch anyt hing beneat h it , such as t he gro und, flo o d, wat er o r o t her
o bject s.

Aft er being lo wered, t he flag shall be handled and fo lded so lemnly as part o f t he ceremo ny.

C. Conduct of Flag Raising Ceremony

SECT ION 18. All government offices and educat ional inst it ut ions shall hencefort h observe
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 he ceremo ny shall be simple and dignified and shall include t he playing o r
singing o f t he Philippine Nat io nal Ant hem.

SECT ION 19. The office of t he President , upon t he recommendat ion of t he Inst it ut e, shall
issue rules and regulat io ns fo r t he pro per co nduct o f t he flag ceremo ny.

SECT ION 20. The observance of t he flag ceremony in official or civic gat herings shall be
simple and dignified and shall include t he playing o r singing o f t he ant hem in it s o riginal
F ilipino lyrics and march t empo .

SECT ION 21. During t he flag-raising ceremony, t he assembly shall st and in format ion facing
t he flag. At t he mo ment t he first no t e o f t he 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 right
palms o ver t heir chest s, t ho se wit h hat s shall unco ver, while t ho se in milit ary, sco ut ing,
securit y guard, 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 assembly shall sing t he Philippine Nat io nal Ant hem, acco mpanied by a band, if available,
and at t he first no t e, t he flag shall be raised briskly.

T he same pro cedure shall be o bserved when t he flag is passing in review o r in parade.

SECT ION 22. During t he flag lowering, t he flag shall be lowered solemnly and slowly 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 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 ceremony.

D. Half-Mast

SECT ION 23. The flag shall be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on all buildings and
places where it is displayed, as pro vided fo r in t his Act , o n t he day o f o fficial anno uncement
o f t he deat h o f any o f t he fo llo wing o fficials:

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, 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; and

c. Ot her perso ns t o be det ermined by t he inst it ut e, fo r any perio d less t han seven (7) days.

T he flag shall be flo wn at half-mast o n all t he buildings and places where t he deceased was
ho lding o ffice, o n t he day o f deat h unt il t he day o f int erment o f an incumbent member o f t he
Supreme Co urt , t he Cabinet , t he Senat e o r t he Ho use o f Represent at ives, and such o t her
perso ns as det ermined by t he Inst it ut e.

T he flag, when flo wn at half-mast , 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 flag shall again be raised briskly t o t he peak befo re it
is lo wered fo r t he day.

E. Casket

SECT ION 24. The flag may be used t o cover t he casket s of t he honored dead of 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 maybe det ermined by t he lo cal go vernment unit co ncerned. In such
cases, t he flag shall be placed such t hat t he whit e t riangle shall be at t he head and t he blue
shall co ver t he right side o f t he casket . T he flag 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.

F. Pledge to the Flag

SECT ION 25. The following shall be t he Pledge of Allegiance t o t he Philippine Flag:

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

Such pledge shall be recit ed while st anding wit h t he right hand 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 when t he pledge is being rendered by st anding at at t ent io n.

G. Flag Days

SECT ION 26. The period from May 28 t o June 12 of each year is declared as Flag 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 and privat e ho mes are enjo ined t o display t he flag.

H. Specifications of the National Flag

SECT ION 27. The flag shall have t he following proport ions. The widt h of t he flag, 1; t he
lengt h o f t he flag, 2; and t he sides o f t he whit e t riangle, 1.

SECT ION 28. The t echnical specificat ions shall be as follows:

T he blue co lo r shall bear Cable No . 80173; t he whit e co lo r, Cable No . 80001; t he red co lo r,
Cable No . 80108; and t he go lden yello w, Cable No . 80068.

SECT ION 29. In order t o est ablish uniform crit eria in t he making of our nat ional flag 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 requisit io ns fo r t he purchase o f t he Philippine 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. All submit t ed samples o f flags 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, and craft smanship specificat io ns by t he Inst it ut e,
t hro ugh it s Heraldry and Display Sect io n, which shall st amp it s appro val o r disappro val o n
t he canvass reinfo rcement o f t he flag sample submit t ed. T he samples shall be sent t o t he
Inst it ut e by t he requisit io ning o ffice, no t by t he flag supplier; and

c. 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 ) shall evaluat e t he
qualit y o f mat erial o f all flag samples and cert ify whet her t he fabric fo r t he blue, whit e, red,
and go lden yello w co lo rs, including t he canvass submit t ed, co nfo rms t o go vernment
requirement as t o qualit y o f t he mat erial. T he samples shall be submit t ed by t he said o ffice
t o t he Inst it ut e.

SECT ION 30. All deliveries of t he flags requisit ioned by t he government shall be inspect ed by
t he requisit io ning agency’s int ernal inspect o r and by t he Co mmissio n o n Audit (COA) using
t he flag st amped appro ved by t he Inst it ut e as reference.

SECT ION 31. In carrying out it s responsibilit ies under Sect ion 4 hereof, t he Inst it ut e, COA,
t he IT DI/PT RI shall prepare guidelines t o be appro ved by t he Office o f t he President .

SECT ION 32. All government agencies and inst rument alit ies shall ensure t hat t he
requirement s under t his Act , wit h respect t o t he st andards, requisit io ns, and delivery o f t he
nat io nal flag are st rict ly co mplied wit h.

SECT ION 33. All depart ment s, agencies, offices, and inst rument alit ies of t he government ,
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

SECT ION 34. It shall be prohibit ed:

a . To mut ilat e, deface, defile, t rample o n, o r cast co nt empt , any act o r o missio n cast ing
disho no r o r ridicule upo n t he flag o ver it s surface;

b. To dip t he flag t o any perso n o r o bject by way o f co mpliment o r salut e;

c. To use t he flag:

. As drapery, fest o o n, t ableclo t h;
. As co vering fo r ceilings, walls, st at ues, o r o t her o bject s;
. As pennant in t he ho o d, side, back, and t o p o f mo t o r vehicles;
. As a st aff o r whip;
. F o r unveiling mo nument s o r st at ues; and
. As t rademarks o r fo r indust rial, co mmercial, o r agricult ural labels o r designs.

d. Display t he flag:
. Under any paint ing o r pict ure;
. Ho rizo nt ally face-up. It shall always be ho ist ed alo ft and be allo wed t o fall freely;
. Belo w any plat fo rm; o r
. In disco t heques, co ckpit s, night and day clubs, casino s, gambling jo int s and places o f vice o r
where frivo lit y prevails.

e . To wear t he flag in who le o r in part s as a co st ume o r unifo rm;

f. To add any wo rd, figure, mark, pict ure, design, drawings, advert isement s, o r imprint o f any
nat ure o n t he flag;

g. To print , paint o r at t ach represent at io n o f t he flag o n handkerchiefs, napkins, cushio ns,
and o t her art icles o f merchandise;

h. To display in public any fo reign flag, except in embassies and o t her diplo mat ic
est ablishment s, and in o ffices o f int ernat io nal o rganizat io ns.

i. To use, display, o r be part o f any advert isement o r info mercial; and

j. To display t he flag in fro nt o f buildings o r o ffices o ccupied by aliens. 65

CHAPT ER II

T HE N AT ION AL AN T HEM

SECT ION 35. The Nat ional Ant hem is ent it led, Lupang Hinirang.

SECT ION 36. The Nat ional Ant hem shall always be sung in t he nat ional language wit hin or
wit ho ut t he co unt ry. T he fo llo wing shall be t he lyrics o f t he Nat io nal Ant hem:

Bayang Magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan,
Alab ng puso
Sa dibdib mo’y buhay.

Lupang Hinirang
Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig
Di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok,
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw,
May dilag at tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y
Tagumpay na nagniningning;
At bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma’y di magdidilim.

Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati’t pagsinta
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo,
Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi,
Ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo.

SECT ION 37. The rendit ion of t he Nat ional Ant hem, whet her played or sung, shall be in
acco rdance t o t he musical arrangement and co mpo sit io n o f Julian F elipe.

SECT ION 38. When t he Nat ional Ant hem is played at a public gat hering, whet her by a band
o r by singing o r bo t h, o r repro duced by any means, t he at t ending public shall sing t he
ant hem. T he singing must be do ne wit h fervo r.

As a sign o f respect , all perso ns shall st and at at t ent io n and face t he Philippine flag, if t here
is o ne displayed, and if t here is no ne, t hey shall face t he band o r t he co nduct o r. At t he first
no t e, all perso ns shall execut e a salut e by placing t heir right palms o ver t heir left chest s.
T ho se in milit ary, sco ut ing, cit izen’s milit ary t raining and securit y guard unifo rms shall give t he
salut e prescribed by t heir regulat io ns. T he salut e shall be co mplet ed upo n t he last no t e o f
t he ant hem.

T he ant hem shall no t be played and sung fo r mere recreat io n, amusement , o r ent ert ainment
purpo ses except o f t he fo llo wing o ccasio ns:

a . Int ernat io nal co mpet it io ns where t he Philippines is t he ho st o r has a represent at ive;

b. L o cal co mpet it io ns;

c. During “signing o ff” and “signing o n” o f radio bro adcast ing and t elevisio n st at io ns;

d. Befo re t he init ial and last screening o f films o r befo re t he o pening o f t heat er
performances; and

e . Ot her o ccasio ns as may be allo wed by t he Inst it ut e.

SECT ION 39. All officials and employees of t he nat ional and local government s, and any
agencies o r inst rument alit ies t hereo f, including go vernment -o wned o r co nt ro lled
co rpo rat io ns, privat ely-o wned ent it ies o f o ffices displaying t he nat io nal flag and go vernment
inst it ut io ns o f learning are hereby direct ed t o co mply st rict ly wit h t he rules prescribed fo r t he
rendit io n o f t he ant hem. F ailure t o o bserve t he rules shall be a gro und fo r administ rat ive

discipline.

CHAPT ER III

T HE N AT ION AL MOT T O

SECT ION 40. The Nat ional Mot t o shall be “MAKA-DIYOS, MAKA-TAO, MAKAKALIKASAN,
AT MAKABANSA.”

CHAPT ER IV

T HE N AT ION AL COAT-OF-ARMS

SECT ION 41. The Nat ional Coat -of-Arms shall have:

Paleways o f t wo (2) pieces, azure and gules; a chief argent st udded wit h t hree (3) mullet s
equidist ant fro m each o t her; and, in po int o f ho no r, o vo id argent o ver all t he sun rayo nnant
wit h eight mino r and lesser rays. Beneat h shall be t he scro ll wit h t he wo rds “REPUBLIKA NG
PILIPINAS,” inscribed t hereo n.

CHAPT ER V

T HE GREAT SEAL

SECT ION 42. The Great Seal shall be circular in form, wit h t he arms as described in t he
preceding sect io n, but wit ho ut t he scro ll and t he inscript io n “REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS”
t hereo n. Surro unding t he who le shall be a do uble marginal circle wit hin which shall appear
t he wo rds, “REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS.” F o r t he purpo se o f placing t he Great Seal, t he
co lo r o f t he arms shall no t be deemed essent ial but t inct ure represent at io n must be used.

T he Great Seal shall bear t he Nat io nal Mo t t o .

SECT ION 43. The Great Seal shall be affixed t o or placed upon all commissions signed by
t he President and upo n such o t her o fficial do cument s and papers o f t he Republic o f t he
Philippines as may be pro vided by law, o r as may be required by cust o m and usage. T he
President shall have cust o dy o f t he Great Seal.

CHAPT ER VI

OFFICIAL SEALS AN D OT HER HERALDIC IT EMS AN D DEVICES.

SECT ION 44. Any government ent it y, including t he milit ary, may adopt appropriat e coat of-
arms, administ rat ive seals, lo go , insignia, badges, pat ches, banners and init iat e awards,

cit at io ns, o rders o r deco rat io ns, as may be aut ho rized by t he Co ngress o r t he Office o f t he
President .

SECT ION 45. Such heraldic devices and it ems shall be filed wit h t he Inst it ut e for recording
and evaluat io n as t o precedence, design, cust o ms, and t radit io ns. T he Inst it ut e shall
pro mulgat e t he co rrespo nding rules and regulat io ns which shall be submit t ed fo r appro val t o
t he Office o f t he President o r Co ngress.

SECT ION 45. Such heraldic devices and it ems shall be filed wit h t he Inst it ut e for recording
and evaluat io n as t o precedence, design, cust o ms, and t radit io ns. T he Inst it ut e shall
pro mulgat e t he co rrespo nding rules and regulat io ns which shall be submit t ed fo r appro val t o
t he Office o f t he President o r Co ngress.

SECT ION 46. All government offices including t he milit ary are hereby ordered t o purchase all
heraldic it ems and devices fro m manufact urers accredit ed and aut ho rized by t he Inst it ut e.
Such it ems and devices shall be subject t o inspect io n by t he purchasing agency’s int ernal
inspect o r and t he COA represent at ive using t he design and specificat io ns appro ved by t he
Office o f t he President o r by t he Co ngress, t hro ugh t he Inst it ut e.

SECT ION 47. No government official or employee shall accept any orders or decorat ions
fro m any fo reign go vernment wit ho ut t he co nsent o f Co ngress, and wit ho ut t he prio r
evaluat io n and do cument at io n o f such o rder o r deco rat io n by t he Inst it ut e.

CHAPT ER VI

PEN ALT IES

SECT ION 48. Failure or refusal t o observe t he provisions of t his Act ; and any violat ion of
t he co rrespo nding rules and regulat io ns issued by t he Office o f t he President shall, aft er
pro per no t ice and hearing, be penalized by public censure which shall be published at least
o nce in a newspaper o f general circulat io n.

T he Depart ment o f Educat io n, Cult ure, and Spo rt s and t he Co mmissio n o n Higher
Educat io n, upo n t he reco mmendat io n o f t he Inst it ut e and aft er t he pro per no t ice and
hearing, shall cause t he cancellat io n o f t he reco gnit io n o f permit o f any privat e educat io nal
inst it ut io n which fails o r refuses t o o bserve t he pro visio ns o f t his Act fo r t he seco nd t ime.

SECT ION 49. The Depart ment of Educat ion, Cult ure, and Sport s (DECS) and t he
Co mmissio n o n Higher Educat io n shall ensure t hat t he Nat io nal Ant hem, as ado pt ed by law,
shall be co mmit t ed t o memo ry by all st udent s o f bo t h public and privat e educat io nal
inst it ut io ns, and perfo rmed during t he flag ceremo ny co nduct ed in acco rdance wit h t he rules
and regulat io ns issued by t he Office o f t he President . In addit io n, t hey shall make available
t he vo cal, piano , o r band sco res o f t he Nat io nal Ant hem, as ado pt ed by law, t o all privat e
and public scho o ls, as well as t he general public.

SECT ION 50. Any person or judicial ent it y which violat es any of t he provisions of t his Act
shall, upo n co nvict io n, be punished by a fine o f no t less t han F ive t ho usand peso s

(P5,000.00) no t mo re t han Twent y t ho usand peso s (P20,000.00), o r by impriso nment fo r no t
mo re t han o ne (1) year, o r bo t h such fine and impriso nment , at t he discret io n o f t he co urt :
Provided, t hat in case t he vio lat io n is co mmit t ed by a juridical perso n, it s President o r Chief
Execut ive Officer t hereo f shall be liable.

CHAPT ER VII

COMMON PROVISION

SECT ION 51. The Inst it ut e shall issue t he necessary rules and regulat ions t o implement t he
pro visio ns o f t his Act wit hin ninet y (90) days aft er effect ivit y. T he Inst it ut e shall submit it s
rules and regulat io ns t o t he Office o f t he President and t he Co ngress o f t he Philippines.

SECT ION 52. The Inst it ut e shall also be responsible for t he st rict enforcement of t he
pro visio n o f t his Act . It may call upo n any go vernment depart ment , agency, o ffice, o r
go vernment inst rument alit y, including go vernment co rpo rat io ns and lo cal go vernment unit s,
fo r such assist ance as it may deem necessary fo r t he effect ive discharge o f it s funct io ns
under t his Act .

SECT ION 53. Separability Clause - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or
unco nst it ut io nal, t he remainder o f t his Act no t o t herwise affect ed shall be valid and subsit ing.

SECT ION 54. Repealing Clause - Any law, president ial decree or issuance, execut ive order,
let t er o f inst ruct io n, administ rat ive o rder, rule and regulat io n co nt rary t o o r inco nsist ent wit h
t he pro visio ns o f t his Act is hereby repealed, mo dified, o r amended acco rdingly.

SECT ION 55. Effectivity - This Act shall be effect ive fift een (15) days from t he dat e of it s
publicat io n in Official Gazet t e o r in at least t wo (2) newspapers o f general circulat io n.

Approved:


JOSE DE VENECIA, JR.
Speaker of the House
of Representatives


NEPTALI A. GONZALES
President of the Senate

T his Act , which is a co nso lidat io n o f Senat e Bill No . 630 and Ho use Bill No . 2580 was finally
passed by t he Senat e and t he Ho use o f Represent at ives o n F ebruary 3, 1998 respect ively.

ROBERTO P. NAZARENO HEZEL P. GACUTAN
Secretary General Secretary of the Senate
House of Representatives


Approved:
FEB 12 1998

FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines



Appendix No. 1

MALACAÑANG
Manila

EXECUT IVE ORDER N O. 23

DESCRIPTION AND SPECIFICATIONS OF THE FILIPINO FLAG

WHEREAS, Sect io n I, Art icle XII o f t he Co nst it ut io n prescribes what t he Philippine Nat io nal
F lag sho uld be wit ho ut giving descript io ns and specificat io n;

WHEREAS, Act Numbered Two T ho usand Nine Hundred and Twent y-Eight describes t he
co nst ruct io n o f t he F ilipino F lag wit ho ut necessary specificat io n o f t he different element s o f
t he flag;

WHEREAS, co mpliance wit h t his act has no t been unifo rmly carried o ut and has caused t he
making o f F ilipino falgs in dispro po rt io nat e sizes wit h inco rrect pro po rt io ns o f t he different
allego rical symbo ls o f t he flag; and

WHEREAS, t o avo id irregularit ies and discrepancies, it is necessary t o fo llo w t he
Co nst it ut io nal pro visio ns and Act Numbered Two T ho usand Nine Hundred and Twent y-Eight
wit h unifo rmit y;

NOW, T HEREF ORE, I, MANUEL L . QUEZ ON, President o f t he Philippines, do hereby
pro mulgat e and o rder t hat t he fo llo wing specificat io ns fo r t he Philippine Nat io nal F lag be
st rict ly o bserved by all civil and milit ary branches o f t he go vernment .

1. T he maximum lengt h o f t he flag is t wice it s widt h; t he minimum lengt h is t wice t he alt it ude
o f t he equilat eral t riangle;

2. Any side o f t he equilat eral t riangle is as lo ng as t he widt h o f t he flag.

3. So lid go lden sunburst wit ho ut any markings - Sun wit h eight rays, in equally spaced;
Arched x wit h Sun ray - F ree arc y; t wo o ppo sit e rays in ho rizo nt al axis; sun’s diamet er D -
W/5 ; each ray has o ne majo r beam, t wice as bro ad as t he mino r beam o n eit her side; lengt h
o f majo r beam R - 5/9D; lengt h o f mino r beam R 4/5R.

4. T hree five-po int ed go lden st ars o f equal size, each st ar wit h o ne po int direct ed t o t he
vert ex o f t he angle enclo sing it ; diamet er o f circumscribed circle o f each st ar - 5/9D; diamet er

o f circumscribed circle o f each st ar - 2/9D; dist ance fro m each co rner - D/2.

5. Canvas - t rimmed edge t o t he left o f t he t riangle is appro ximat ely D/5 wide - no t co unt ed
in measuring lengt h o f t he flag.

6. F lags made o f silk will be t rimmed o n t hree edges wit h a kno t t ed fringe o f yello w silk D/5
wide.

Do ne in t he Cit y o f Manila, t his t went y-fift h day o f March, in t he year o f Our L o rd, ninet een
hundred and t hirt y-six, and o f t he Co mmo nwealt h o f t he Philippines t he first .


MANUEL L. QUEZON
President of the Philippines

By t he President


ELPIDIO QUIRINO
Secretary of the Interior

Appendix No. 2

MALACAÑANG PALACE
Manila

BY T HE PRESIDEN T OF T HE PHILIPPIN ES

EXECUT IVE ORDER N O. 310

CREATING THE PHILIPPINES HERALDRY COMMITTEE TO MAKE A STUDY OF,
AND RECOMMEND WAYS AND MEANS FOR, THE ADOPTION OF THE COAT-OF-
ARMS OF THE DIFFERENT POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS, PROVINCES, CITIES, AND
SEMI-GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS.

By virt ue o f t he po wers vest ed in me by law, I, MANUEL L . QUEZ ON, President o f t he
Philippines, do hereby creat e t he Philippines Heraldry Co mmit t ee, t he chairman and
members, o f which shall be appo int ed by t he President fro m t ime t o t ime, t o make a st udy
o f, and reco mmend ways and means fo r, t he ado pt io n o f t he co at -o f-arms o f t he different
po lit ical subdivisio ns, pro vinces, cit ies, and semigo vernment al inst it ut io ns. T he Co mmit t ee
shall have a secret ary who shall be designat ed by t he chairman fro m amo ng it s members.

Po lit ical subdivisio ns, pro vinces, cit ies, and semi-go vernment al inst it ut io ns desiring t o ado pt
t heir o wn lo cal co at -o f-arms shall submit an applicat io n t herefo re in t riplicat e t o t he
co mmit t ee which applicat io n shall co nt ain t he fo llo wing:

. Sket ch
. Physical descript io n
. St at ement o f significance o f t he emblazo nry, allego rical ideas - po lit ical, hist o rical, so cial o r
eco no mic represent at io ns
. Suppo rt ing do cument s, o rders o r any fo rm o f grant s.

Municipalit ies, except t ho se independent ly o rganized by t he Nat io nal Assembly, shall ado pt
t he co at o f- arms o f t heir respect ive pro vinces and need no t submit an applicat io n under t he
pro visio ns o f t his Execut ive Order.

T he Co mmit t ee shall meet at such t imes and places as may be designat ed by t he chairman
and shall submit it s reco mmendat io ns t o t he President .

T he members o f t he Co mmit t ee who are go vernment emplo yees shall serve wit ho ut

addit io nal co mpensat io n, bu t hey shall be ent it led t o such necessary t ranspo rt at io n
expenses as may be aut ho rized by t he President .

Do ne at t he Cit y o f Manila, t his fo urt h day o f December, in t he year o f Our L o rd, ninet een
hundred and fo rt y, and o f t he Co mmo nwealt h o f t he Philippines, t he sixt h.


MANUEL L. QUEZON
President of the Philippines

By t he President


JORGE B. VARGAS
Secretary of the Philippines


Source: Executive Orders
S - 1940 - 1941, No. 246 - 333, p. 1-2

Appendix No. 3

Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Manila

DEPARTMENT ORDER
NO. 5, S. 1956

REVISED PILIPINO LANGUAGE VERSION
OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ANTHEM

In o rder t o effect a final revisio n o f t he F ilipino L anguage versio n o f t he Philippine Nat io nal
Ant hem wit h respect t o linguist ic co rrect ness and fit ness t o music, a co mmit t ee wit h t he
Direct o r o f t he Inst it ut e o f Nat io nal L anguage as Chairman and represent at ives fro m t he
Depart ment o f Educat io n, t he Bureau o f Public Scho o ls, t he Bureau o f Privat e Scho o ls, t he
Universit y o f t he Philippines, lit erary o rganizat io ns, and t he Philippine Co nst abulary Band, as
members, was fo rmed. T he fo llo wing versio n, ent it led “L upang Hinirang” has finally been
ado pt ed.

Bayang Magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan,
Alab ng puso
Sa dibdib mo’y buhay.

Lupang Hinirang
Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig
Di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok,
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw,
May dilag at tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y
Tagumpay na nagniningning;
At bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma’y di magdidilim.

Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati’t pagsinta
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo,
Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi,
Ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo.
It is desired that this version be used in all public and private schools in the Philippines. G.
HERNANDEZ,


G. HERNANDEZ, JR.
Secretary of Education




00:00 / 00:00

00:00 / 00:00

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
BUREAU OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Manila


June 22, 1956

CIRCULAR
No. 21, s. 1956

REVISED FILIPIN O LAN GUAGE VERSION OF T HE
PHILIPPIN E N AT ION AL AN T HEM

To Superintendents:
1. At t ent io n is invit ed t o t he enclo sed co py o f Depart ment Order No . 5, s. 1956, issued by
t he Ho no rable, t he Secret ary o f Educat io n, co nt aining t he final revisio n o f t he F ilipino
L anguage versio n o f t he Philippine Nat io nal Ant hem. T his revised versio n shall hencefo rt h be
t aught and sung in all scho o ls in lieu o f t he versio n in Circular No . 4, s. 1948.

2. Also enclo sed is a co py o f t he new lyrics wit h musical rearrangement by L t . Co l. Ant o nio
Buenavent ura o f t he Philippine Co nst abulary Band.

3. T he Philippine Nat io nal Ant hem sho uld be played o nly o n appro priat e o ccasio ns and
preferably sung in t he F ilipino L anguage inst ead o f English.

4. T he meaning and pat rio t ic message o f t he lyrics in t he F ilipino L anguage sho uld be
carefully explained t o t he pupils so t hat t he so ng can be sung wit h t he fervo r a nat io nal
ant hem deserves. All pupils, t eachers, and scho o l o fficials sho uld as so o n as po ssible, learn
and be able t o sing fro m memo ry t his revised F ilipino L anguage versio n o f t he Philippine
Nat io nal Ant hem.

5. Effo rt s sho uld be made t o acquaint t he co mmunit y wit h t his versio n by having it print ed in
pro grams o r by dist ribut ing mimeo graphed co pies whenever t he Philippine Nat io nal Ant hem
is t o be sung during scho o l and co mmunit y assemblies.

6. This Circular supersedes Circular No. 4, s. 1948.


Direct o r o f Public Scho o ls

References:

Department Order: (No. 5, s. 1956)
Circular: (No. 4, s. 1948)
Allotment: 1-2-3-4-5– (C. 35-38)
To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subject:
CELEBRATIONS & FESTIVALS
Course of Study, CHARACTER EDUCATION
Course of Study, FILIPINO LANGUAGE
LANGUAGE FILIPINO
MUSIC

Appendix No. 4

MALACAÑANG
RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

Manila

PRESIDEN T IAL DECREE N O. 1

REORGAN IZIN G T HE EXECUT IVE BRAN CH OF T HE
N AT ION AL GOVERN MEN T

WHEREAS, t here were pending befo re Co ngress prio r t o t he pro mulgat io n o f t he
Pro clamat io n No . 1081, dat ed Sept ember 21, 1972, cert ain prio rit y measures vit al t o t he
nat io nal develo pment pro gram o f t he go vernment , and which were duly cert ified by t he
President as urgent measures;

WHEREAS, o ne o f t hese prio rit y measures in t he Int egrat ed Reo rganizat io n Plan
reo rganizing t he ent ire Execut ive Branch o f t he Nat io nal Go vernment , prepared by t he
Co mmissio n o n Reo rganizat io n;

WHEREAS, t he Int egrat ed Reo rganizat io n Plan is necessary t o t he realizat io n o f t he
Go vernment ’s pro gram t o effect administ rat ive refo rms in t he go vernment machinery;

NOW, T HEREF ORE, I, F ERDINAND E. MARCOS, Co mmander-in-Chief o f all t he Armed
F o rces o f t he Philippines, and pursuant t o Pro clamat io n No . 1081, dat ed Sept ember 21,
1972, and General Order No . 1 dat ed Sept ember 22, 1972, as amended, in o rder t o effect
t he desired changes and refo rms in t he so cial eco no mic and po lit ical st ruct ure o f t he
co unt ry, do hereby o rder and decree t hat t he Int egrat ed Reo rganizat io n Plan as prepared,
co mplet ed, and submit t ed by t he Co mmissio n o n Reo rganizat io n shall be, as it is hereby
ado pt ed, appro ved, and made as part o f t he law o f t he land; Pro vided, t hat t here shall be
creat ed and o rganized, in lieu o f t he Public Info rmat io n Office wit hin t he Office o f t he
President as reco mmended in t he Reo rganizat io n Plan, a Depart ment o f Public Info rmat io n,
t he co mpo sit io n o f which shall be indicat ed in fut ure implement ing o rders.

Changes and mo dificat io n in t he Int egrat ed Reo rganizat io n Plan shall be made fro m t ime
t o t ime, as necessit y requires, t o be co rrespo ndingly anno unced by me o r by my duly
aut ho rized represent at ive.

Implement at io n o f t he Int egrat ed Reo rganizat io n Plan as herein ado pt ed appro ved and

decreed shall be carried o ut by L et t ers o f Implement at io n which will be issued by me fro m
t ime t o t ime, o r by my duly aut ho rized represent at ive.

All co ncerned, especially heads o f depart ment s, chiefs o f bureaus, and o ffices, agencies
and inst rument alit ies o f t he Go vernment , including go vernment -o wned o r co nt ro lled
Co rpo rat io ns, shall act acco rdingly, pursuant t o t he co nt ent s o f t his decree.

Do ne in t he Cit y o f Manila, t his 24t h day o f Sept ember, in t he year o f Our L o rd, ninet een
hundred and sevent y-t wo .




FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President of the Philippines

PART XII - EDUCAT ION
CHAPT ER I - DEPART MEN T OF EDUCAT ION AN D CULT URE

ART ICLE XV - N AT ION AL HIST ORICAL IN ST IT UT E

1. T here is creat ed a Nat io nal Hist o rical Inst it ut e in t he Depart ment , hereinaft er referred t o
in t his Art icle as t he Inst it ut e, which shall be respo nsible fo r pro mo t ing and preserving t he
Philippine cult ural herit age by undert aking, amo ng o t hers, st udies o n Philippine hist o ry and
nat io nal hero es and maint aining nat io nal shrines and mo nument s.

2. T he inst it ut e shall be co mpo sed o f a Chairman, t he direct o rs o f t he Nat io nal L ibrary and
t he Nat io nal Museum as ex-o fficio members, and fo ur o t her members who shall serve part
t ime. T he Chairman shall also serve as t he full-t ime execut ive o fficer o f t he Inst it ut e. T he
fo ur members shall ho ld o ffice fo r a perio d o f six years; pro vided t hat in t he first
appo int ment s, o ne member shall be fo r t hree years, t he seco nd member fo r fo ur years, t he
t hird member fo r five years, and t he fo urt h member fo r six years. T he Chairman and
members may receive per diem fo r act ual at t endance at meet ings.

3. T he Chairman and t he fo ur members shall have dist inguished t hemselves in hist o rical
research and writ ing.

4. T he fo llo wing divisio ns are creat ed:

a. Administ rat ive Divisio n which shall be respo nsible fo r pro viding administ rat ive, perso nnel,
and financial services;

b. Research and Publicat io n Divisio n which shall be respo nsible fo r co nduct ing st udies o f t he
vario us aspect s o f Philippine hist o ry and t he publicat io n o f result s o f such st udies;

c. Mo nument s and Heraldry Divisio n which shall be respo nsible fo r ident ifying, designat ing,
and appro priat ely marking hist o rical places, causing t he co nst ruct io n o r reco nst ruct io n and
maint enance o f nat io nal mo nument s, shrines, and hist o rical markers and preparing heraldic
designs and blazo ning o f t he Go vernment , including it s po lit ical subdivisio ns and semi-
go vernment inst it ut io ns;

d. Special and Co mmemo rat ive Event s Divisio n which shall be respo nsible fo r preparing and
implement ing a pro gram o f act ivit ies t o ho no r select ed hero es and significant hist o rical
event s; and

e. Archives Divisio n which shall be respo nsible fo r st o ring, preserving, and rehabilit at ing
do cument s and reco rds fo r permanent and hist o rical value.

5. T he Nat io nal Hist o rical Co mmissio n; t he Int ramuro s Rest o rat io n Co mmit t ee; Ro xas
Memo rial Co mmissio n; Quezo n Memo rial Co mmit t ee; General Emilio Aguinaldo Cent ennial
Co mmissio n; Go mes, Burgo s, and Z amo ra Cent ennial Co mmissio n, and t he Pinaglabanan
Co mmemo rat ive Co mmissio n in t he Depart ment are abo lished, and t heir funct io ns t o get her
wit h applicable appro priat io ns, reco rds, equipment , pro pert y and such perso nnel as may be
necessary are t ransferred t o t he Inst it ut e.

6. T he Philippine Heraldry Co mmit t ee and Osmeña Memo rial Co mmissio n under t he Office o f
t he President are abo lished, and t heir funct io ns t o get her wit h applicable appro priat io ns,
reco rds, equipment , pro pert y and such perso nnel as may be necessary are t ransferred t o
t he Inst it ut e.

7. T he Nat io nal Shrines Co mmissio n in t he Depart ment o f Nat io nal Defense is abo lished,
and it s funct io ns t o get her wit h applicable appro priat io ns, reco rds, equipment , pro pert y and
such perso nnel as may be necessary are t ransferred t o t he Inst it ut e.

8. T he Archives Divisio n o f t he Bureau o f Reco rds Management is abo lished, and it s
funct io ns t o get her wit h applicable appro priat io ns, reco rds, equipment , pro pert y and such
perso nnel as may be necessary are t ransferred t o t he Inst it ut e.

Appendix No. 5

MALACAÑANG
Manila

EXECUT IVE ORDER N O. 1010
AMEN DIN G EXECUT IVE ORDER N O. 23, DAT ED MARCH 25, 1963,
EN T IT LED “DESCRIPT ION AN D SPECIFICAT ION S OF T HE FILIPIN O

FLAG”

WHEREAS, Sect io n 1, Art icle XV o f t he 1973 Co nst it ut io n o f t he Republic o f t he
Philippines prescribes t he co lo rs o f t he nat io nal flag o f t he Philippines as red, whit e, and
blue. wit h a sun and t hree st ars, but silent as t o t he shade o f t he co lo r blue;

WHEREAS, in t he o riginal flag designed by General Emilio Aguinaldo t hat was unfurled
during t he declarat io n o f Philippine Independence in Kawit , Cavit e o n June 12, 1898, t he
shade o f t he co lo r blue was light er t han t he present dark blue being used in t he making o f
t he Philippine flag;

WHEREAS, t here is a need t o co rrect hist o rical inaccuracy as regards t he t rue shade o f
t he co lo rs o f t he Philippine flag as evidenced by t he hist o rical findings made by t he Nat io nal
Hist o rical Inst it ut e, t he go vernment agency which abso rbed t he funct io ns o f t he defunct
Philippine Heraldry Co mmit t ee;

NOW, T HEREF ORE, I, F ERDINAND E. MARCOS, President o f t he Philippines, by virt ue
o f t he po wers vest ed in me by law, do hereby pro mulgat e and o rder t he nat io nal Hist o rical
Inst it ut e t o t ake t he necessary st eps t o rest o re t he o riginal co lo r o f t he F irst Philippine F lag.

T he NHI shall issue guidelines co ncerning t he implement at io n o f t his Execut ive Order;
Do ne in t he Cit y o f Manila, t his 25t h day o f F ebruary, in t he year o f Our L o rd, ninet een
hundred and eight y five.




FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President o f t he Philippines

By t he President

JUAN C. TUVERA
President ial Execut ive Assist ant