QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 236)
To rationalize civil awards and decorations, ensure consistent criteria, preserve integrity and prestige, and clarify the order of precedence of Honors, consistent with accepted international protocol norms.
“Honors” refer to Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the highest prestige. Unless otherwise enumerated as Honors within the Order of Precedence in Section 3, other Presidential Awards—even if tangible recognitions—are not considered “Honors” for purposes of the Honors Code.
An Order grants membership in an exclusive association and carries distinctive insignia. A Decoration is a wearable award usually for a specific act of meritorious service. A Medal is a wearable award usually recognizing service/achievement or commemorating a significant event. An Award is a tangible recognition usually in the form of a citation, plaque, trophy, or 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, created in EO 236, prescribes the Order and Manner of Wear.
No. The President may confer Presidential Awards not included in the Order of Precedence, but such awards are expressly not considered “Honors” under the Code.
All Honors may be conferred posthumously; they are received by legal heirs, or if none or no nearest kin exists, by a person designated by the President to receive the Honor on behalf of the deceased.
It is conferred by the President with Congress concurrence on Filipino citizens for exemplary service to the nation, with services/contributions measurable on the scale established by the national benefaction of former President Manuel L. Quezon.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs may award the Order of Sikatuna in the name and by authority of the President.
The Secretary of National Defense may award it in the name and by authority of the President. It recognizes valuable and meritorious service in relation to military affairs of the Republic of the Philippines.
It shall henceforth be conferred on the anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence.
It may be conferred on the spouses of heads of State and/or of government, both Filipino and foreign.
It is the highest national recognition conferred upon Filipinos for distinct contributions to arts and letters, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1001 (April 27, 1972) and Republic Act No. 7356.
The National Artist for Historical Literature, created under Executive Order No. 451 (Oct. 9, 1997), is subsumed under the Order of National Artists.
For National Scientists: the National Academy of Science and Technology may recommend annually not more than ten (10) scientists. For National Social Scientists: it may recommend annually not more than ten (10) individuals.
Examples: outstanding service to the President/Administration/cabinet members; gaining prestige for the country in international events in literature/sciences/arts/entertainment and other civilian fields; being a retiring cultural worker or artist after government service or a foreign artist who promoted Philippine culture; acts enhancing the prestige of the Republic, including heading a Philippine delegation or materially contributing to major international conferences/events.