Question & AnswerQ&A (OP Administrative Order No. 5, s. 2010)
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed the ISO codes PH and PHL as part of their ISO 3166-1 standard assigning country codes.
The use of RP is not in accordance with ISO 3166-1 standards and leads to ambiguity and confusion in referring to the Philippines internationally.
The Department of Foreign Affairs adopted and reflected the ISO three-letter code PHL in the data page of the electronic passport issued to Philippine citizens.
The directive applies to all offices, agencies, and other instrumentalities of the Philippine Government.
The Philippines has been assigned a two-letter code PH and a three-letter code PHL under ISO 3166-1.
The ISO codes are used in international events, conferences, sports meets, airline ticketing, and other official references abroad and in the Philippines.
Benigno S. Aquino III, then President of the Philippines, signed the Administrative Order No. 5, s. 2010.
The issuance is by virtue of the powers vested in the President of the Philippines by the Constitution.
The Administrative Order was filed on May 3, 2011.