QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 341)
To obtain uniformity in the design and proper use of the Philippine Coat-of-Arms for official purposes and to make uniform the various seals of different government entities, pursuant to Commonwealth Act No. 602 as amended by Commonwealth Act No. 614.
It includes: (1) arms (a specific heraldic composition), (2) an American eagle displayed proper as the crest, and (3) a scroll beneath bearing “Commonwealth of the Philippines” placed just below but without touching the seal proper.
Provinces and chartered cities may adopt their own local Coat-of-Arms showing local heraldry characteristics, upon recommendation of the Philippine Heraldry Committee (EO 310) and subject to the President’s approval; those already granted during the Spanish regime may be retained.
It is circular with the arms described in EO 341 (paragraph 1) but without the scroll and inscription; it has a double marginal circle, and around it the phrases “Commonwealth of the Philippines” (upper) and “United States of America” (lower), separated by two small five-pointed stars.
It shall be and remain in the custody of the President of the Philippines.
It shall be affixed to or placed upon all commissions signed by the President and upon such other official documents and papers of the Commonwealth as may be provided by law or required by custom and usage in the President’s discretion.
Seals of Congress, Supreme Court, and departments are similar to the Great Seal, but wording around the ring differs and size must not exceed 7/8 of the Great Seal (2-3/4 inches). Seals of courts and other offices contain only the Coat-of-Arms proper without crest/scroll, with the government entity’s name around the ring, size not exceeding 2/3 of the Great Seal (2 inches).
Administrative seals used for routine internal administration are only “ordinary office seals” and are not the official or corporate seals; therefore, they should not bear the Coat-of-Arms of the Government.
If authorized by law, they may keep appropriate corporate/official seals; those seals must follow the requirements in EO 341 paragraph 6(a) (Coat-of-Arms proper without crest/scroll, with the entity name around the ring), and they may emblazon the local coat-of-arms as provided in paragraph 2.
Only the personal flag of the President may bear the national Coat-of-Arms in full colors. If flags are authorized for other officials, they must display the seal device of the corresponding Department in the center.
It must follow Commonwealth Act No. 602 as amended by Commonwealth Act No. 614 “without any modification whatsoever,” though proper heraldic designs as embellishment or supports are allowed.
It shall not be used as background for police badges; however, the shield proper only may be used without the crest, with a scroll bearing the name of the city or municipality, with or without heraldic embellishment/support.
It cannot be painted on government cars or railway coaches except those personally or officially used by the President (full colors) and those officially used by the Vice-President, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and the Chief Justice (silver).
Yes, but only by authority of the President of the Philippines.
Use in letterheads and envelopes is for official purposes only; private/personal correspondence use by government employees is dealt with administratively. It may not be used in personal stationery, name cards, or greetings cards except for the President, Vice-President, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and Chief Justice (with specified color modes/dry seal/gold/silver rules). It may be used (national Coat-of-Arms proper without crest/scroll) in certain personal stationery of specified high officials and officials listed in EO 341.
No. Use as trade-marks, advertisements, or labels for commercial/industrial/agricultural purposes and printing/stamping on items intended for sale/barter/exchange is prohibited, with violations punishable under Section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 602.
Their display or use in cockpits, club houses, or buildings dedicated to gambling; public dance halls, dancing schools, and show-houses is prohibited; violations are dealt with under Section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 602.
Yes, but they must occupy a place of prominence, similar to the national flag.