QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 297)
EO 297 aims to regulate the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of PNP uniforms, insignias, and other accoutrements to ensure these items are controlled by authorized sources and used exclusively by uniformed PNP personnel, preventing misuse by unauthorized persons.
Section 1 prohibits the unauthorized manufacture, sale, and distribution of PNP uniforms, insignias, and other accoutrements by persons or establishments that are not authorized/accredited.
Upon due notice and hearing, EO 297 authorizes: immediate closure of the establishment/plant/office; cancellation of business license/permit; condemnation, seizure, and forfeiture of paraphernalia used or intended for manufacture/sale/distribution; and imposition of reasonable administrative fines—without prejudice to administrative, civil, and/or criminal actions.
It covers both. Section 1 regulates unauthorized manufacture, sale, and distribution; Section 2 specifically prohibits use by persons who are not members of the uniformed Philippine National Police.
The prohibited conduct is the use of PNP uniforms, insignias, and other accoutrements by any person who is not a member of uniformed PNP personnel; the non-member user is the liable party.
Violations are penalized by public censure, published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation; the penalty is imposed after due notice and hearing.
It preserves other actions. Both Sections 1 and 2 state penalties are without prejudice to filing administrative, civil, and/or criminal actions.
EO 297 references Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (illegal use of uniforms/insignia) but notes it does not cover illegal manufacture, sale, and distribution; it also references RA 493 (Armed Forces/Constabulary insignias), but states it does not apply to the PNP.
The President found there was no law governing and regulating the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of PNP uniforms, insignias, and other accoutrements.
The Philippine National Police shall adopt its own uniforms, insignias, and other accoutrements for exclusive use of its unformed personnel (as stated in Section 3).
Each design and specification must be approved by the PNP Uniform and Equipment Standardization Board (UESB).
Only those accredited by the PNP and the National Historical Institute are authorized to manufacture, sell, or distribute the same.
Uniforms and other items are subject to inspection and acceptance procedures of the PNP, with designs/specifications approved by the UESB.
EO 297 does not specify first-time vs. repeated violations; it provides that any violation, after due notice and hearing, may result in those sanctions.
The Chief of the PNP shall issue rules and regulations for the effective implementation of EO 297.
It repeals or modifies all orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with EO 297.
Under Section 2, the act is prohibited and the person may be penalized by public censure (published in a newspaper at least once) after due notice and hearing, without prejudice to other administrative/civil/criminal actions.
Under Section 1, after due notice and hearing, the business may be closed, its business license/permit cancelled, and all paraphernalia used or intended for manufacture/sale/distribution condemned/seized/forfeited, plus reasonable administrative fines—without prejudice to other actions.