Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 183)
The official title is "RULES AND REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491, series of 1998, THE CODE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG, ANTHEM, MOTTO, COAT-OF-ARMS AND OTHER HERALDIC ITEMS AND DEVICES OF THE PHILIPPINES."
The National Historical Institute is the agency tasked to implement these Rules.
Individuals, public and private entities, military and police agencies, branches or instrumentalities of the national and local government, including government-owned and/or controlled corporations, within the entire territory of the Philippines.
'National Flag' means the National Flag and Ensign of the Philippines, including any flag or design resembling it that could be mistaken for the official flag or design under the Constitution, R.A. No. 8491, and the Rules.
It must be permanently hoisted day and night at Malacañang Palace, Congress building, Supreme Court building, Rizal Monument, Bonifacio Monument, Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, Barasoain Church Historical Landmark, Marcela Agoncillo Historical Landmark, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Libingan ng mga Bayani, Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion, all International Ports of Entry, and other designated places by the Institute.
The National Flag shall be blue, white and red with an eight-rayed golden yellow sun and three five-pointed stars; the technical color specifications correspond to Cable Numbers from the Standard Color Reference of America: blue (80173), white (80001), red (80108), and golden-yellow (80068).
The width of the flag is 1 unit and the length is 2 units; all sides of the white triangle are 1 unit.
In time of peace, the blue field should be on top if flown from a flagpole and to the left (observer's point of view) if hanging. In time of war, the red field should be on top if flown from a flagpole and to the left if hanging.
Prohibited acts include mutilating, defacing, or disfiguring the flag; dipping it as a salute; using it as drapery, tablecloth, or costume; adding any marks or advertisements; displaying it below platforms or in places of vice or frivolity; and unauthorized printing or use in advertisements, among others.
The flag shall be flown at half-mast on the official announcement of the death of certain officials such as the President (10 days), Vice-President, Chief Justice, Senate President, Speaker of the House (7 days), Cabinet Secretaries and other high government officials (5 days), and other persons as prescribed by the Rules. It is also flown half-mast during calamities/tragedies of national or international significance as ordered by the Office of the President.
The Pledge is: "Ako ay Pilipino Buong katapatang nanunumpa Sa watawat ng Pilipinas At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag Na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan Na pinakikilos ng sambayanang Maka-Diyos Maka-tao Makakalikasan at Makabansa."
Flag raising must be observed every Monday morning by all government offices and private establishments flying the flag. During the ceremony, the assembly stands facing the flag, attention is given at the first note of the anthem, palms are placed over the chest, those with hats uncover, and uniformed personnel give the prescribed salute until the anthem’s last note.
Government offices and institutions should observe the flag raising ceremony every Monday morning and flag lowering every Friday afternoon.
It should not be thrown away but solemnly burned to avoid misuse or desecration and replaced immediately when signs of wear and tear appear.
The National Anthem "Lupang Hinirang" shall be sung in Filipino and must be sung with fervor at public gatherings. Attendees stand at attention facing the flag or the band, place right palms on their chests, and uniformed personnel render the prescribed salute through the anthem's duration.
The Chairman and Executive Director of the National Historical Institute have the authority to amend, revise, repeal, or modify the Rules to achieve the objectives of R.A. No. 8491.
Failure or refusal after proper notice and hearing may be penalized as stipulated under R.A. No. 8491, which includes sanctions for violations related to the national symbols.
No. The National Coat-of-Arms is reserved and its use by government branches is regulated to maintain its place of honor. Personal heraldic devices are not allowed except for the Seal of the President and Vice-President.
They must seek authorization from the Office of the President or Congress, file their designs with the National Historical Institute for evaluation, and observe heraldic traditions and design standards outlined in the Rules.