QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 236)
It aims to rationalize the roster of civil awards and decorations, ensure consistency of criteria, preserve integrity and prestige, and clarify/establish the order of precedence in conformity with internationally accepted protocol norms.
It limits the term “Honors” strictly to Orders, Decorations, and Medals enumerated under Section 3 (Order of Precedence); other Presidential awards remain tangible recognitions but do not carry the protocol/legal effect of “Honors” under this Code.
Order: membership in an exclusive association with distinctive insignia; Decoration: wearable award usually for specific meritorious service; Medal: wearable award usually for service/achievement or to commemorate an event; Award: tangible recognition such as citation/plaque/trophy/medallion.
Quezon Service Cross; Order of Lakandula; Order of Sikatuna; Philippine Legion of Honor; Order of Gabriela Silang; Order of National Artists; Order of National Scientists; Order of National Social Scientists; Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan; Gawad Mabini; Order of the Golden Heart; Presidential Medal of Merit.
The Chancellery of Philippine Orders and State Decorations.
It is conferred by the President with the concurrence of Congress of the Philippines; eligibility is for exemplary service to the nation measured on the scale established by the national benefaction of Manuel L. Quezon.
Dedication to the welfare of society; life worthy of emulation; deeds worthy including materially suffering for preservation/defense of democratic way or territorial integrity; peaceful resolution of conflict; fostering mutual understanding/cultural exchange/justice/dignified relations; and acts traditionally recognized by presidential awards such as meritorious political and civic service.
Ranks: Grand Collar (Supremo), Grand Cross (Bayani), Grand Officer (Maringal na Pinuno), Commander (Komandante), Officer (Pinuno), Member (Kagawad). Example: Grand Collar is conferred on an individual who suffered materially for preservation/defense of democratic way of life or territorial integrity, or on a former/incumbent head of state/government.
It may be awarded by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the name and by authority of the President.
Ranks include Grand Collar (Raja), Grand Cross (Datu), Grand Officer (Maringal na Lakan), Commander (Lakan), Officer (Maginoo), Member (Maharlika). The Grand Cross has two distinctions: Gold (Katangiang Ginto) and Silver (Katangiang Pilak).
It recognizes valuable and meritorious service in relation to military affairs of the Philippines, and to give significance to civil service in military affairs, it is conferred on the anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence.
It may be conferred upon the spouses of heads of state and/or government, both Filipino and foreign.
EO No. 236 states that pursuant to Proclamation No. 1001 and RA No. 7356, the Order of National Artists is the highest national recognition conferred upon Filipinos who have made distinct contributions to arts and letters, based on recommendations of the CCP and NCCA.
It cites Republic Act No. 7355 (Manlilikha ng Bayan Act). It recognizes a Filipino citizen or group engaged in traditional arts uniquely Filipino, whose skills reach high technical and artistic excellence and have been passed on and widely practiced in their community.
It may be conferred on DFA personnel (home office and foreign service) and Filipinos who rendered distinguished service promoting Philippine interests. It may be conferred by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the name and by authority of the President, and it is to be conferred on July 22 every year to commemorate Apolinario Mabini’s birth anniversary.
All Honors may be conferred posthumously: received by the legal heirs; or if none, by any person designated by the President to receive the honor on behalf of the deceased.
They are no longer conferred as civilian awards. However, they remain extant during the lifetime of the last holder; thereafter, they cease and are discontinued.
Chancellery (Office of Presidential Protocol): implements the Honors Code and handles technical/protocol matters, maintains roster, guidelines for wear, technical specifications, approves manufacturers/suppliers, etc. Committee on Honors: assists the President in evaluating nominations for recipients of Honors and presidential awards; meets quarterly or as needed and may authorize agency committees.