Question & AnswerQ&A (BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 694)
Batas Pambansa Blg. 694 is titled 'An Act Authorizing the Honorable General Carlos P. Romulo, Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Display the National Colors and Affix the Great Seal of the Republic of the Philippines in Prominent Places at His Residence.' Its main subject is the authorization granted to General Carlos P. Romulo to display the Philippine national flag and seal at his residence.
The Honorable General Carlos P. Romulo, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, is authorized by this law to display the national colors and the Great Seal of the Republic of the Philippines in prominent places at his residence.
The law recognizes General Romulo's extensive service and contributions to the Philippines, including his roles in international diplomacy and treaties. Displaying the national colors and seal at his residence is a gesture of gratitude and honor for his manifold contributions to the nation.
General Romulo is authorized to display the national colors and the Great Seal at his residence at all times for as long as he lives.
No, the law does not specify any conditions for revocation or limitation of the authorization. It grants General Romulo the right to display the national colors and Great Seal for as long as he lives.
The law cites General Romulo's roles as Minister for Foreign Affairs, signatory to major international agreements such as the UN Charter and Bretton Woods Agreement, Philippine Delegate to the UN, Ambassador to the US, President of the UN General Assembly, and other diplomatic distinctions.
The Act shall take effect upon its approval, meaning from the date it was approved on March 7, 1984.
The law refers to the universal diplomatic practice sanctioned by the law of nations that chiefs of diplomatic missions and heads of diplomacy display their national colors and coats of arms at their official residences as a signal of honor.
According to the law, because there was an absence of an official residence for the Philippine Minister for Foreign Affairs, General Romulo was not accorded the honor of displaying the national colors during his incumbency.
This law serves as a humble gesture of the Philippine nation to acknowledge and honor the extraordinary contributions of General Romulo to the country and to recognize him as a legendary figure in Philippine diplomacy.