Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 343)
The primary purpose is to adopt and institutionalize the 'Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat' as the official oath of allegiance for all Filipinos.
The Order aims to commemorate the centennial of the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1998.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts finalized it from a draft prepared by the Commission on the Filipino Language.
The pledge emphasizes dignity, justice, freedom, and values that every freedom-loving and nationalistic Filipino ought to possess, including being God-fearing, humane, and nationalistic.
Yes, the Executive Order directs each and every citizen to learn the pledge and reflect upon its words, institutionalizing it as the official oath of allegiance.
The key phrase is: '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, at Makabansa.'
The Executive Order took effect immediately upon its signing on June 12, 1996.