Commemorative Purpose and Meaning
- The Order of Sikatuna commemorates the first treaty (Pacto de Sangre) between the Philippines and a foreign country.
- The award recognizes services connected to the field of foreign relations and friendly relations between foreign states and the Republic of the Philippines.
Four Ranks of the Order
- The Order of Sikatuna is divided into four ranks: Raja, Lakan, Maginoo, and Maharlika.
- Raja is awarded to heads of states, former heads of states, and Cabinet secretaries, and to diplomats of at least ambassadorial or equivalent rank (Filipino or foreign), for far extraordinary services in the field of foreign relations.
- Lakan is awarded to ambassadors, ministers, officials of equivalent rank as ambassadors and ministers, and other distinguished persons (Filipino or foreign), for outstanding services in the field of foreign relations.
- Maginoo is awarded to senior officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs (Home Office or Foreign Service), below ministerial rank, for excellent services in the field of foreign relations; it may also be awarded to government officials of the Philippines and of foreign countries of comparatively the same rank, and to private citizens who deserve such honor.
- Before any Filipino government official or employee may be entitled to Maginoo, the person must have a minimum of six years service in the government.
- Maharlika is awarded to junior officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs (Home Office or Foreign Service), and to government officials of the Philippines and of foreign countries, and to private citizens who deserve such honor.
- Before any Filipino government official or employee may be entitled to Maharlika, the person must have a minimum of four years service in the government.
Posthumous Awards and Receipt
- The Order of Sikatuna may be awarded posthumously to any person entitled thereto.
- If the award is posthumous, it is received by the recipient’s legal heirs.
- If there are no legal heirs, it is received by the recipient’s nearest of kin.
- If there is no heir or nearest of kin, the award is received by any person designated by the President of the Philippines, or by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs acting by authority of the President, on behalf of the deceased.
Design, Wearing, and Regulation Rules
- The form, make, and design of the Order of Sikatuna are prescribed in rules and regulations.
- The rules and regulations governing the manner of wearing the decoration and other details are proposed by the Philippines Heraldry Committee.
- The rules and regulations are approved by the President of the Philippines.
Issuance, Date, and Effectivity Through Publication
- Executive Order No. 571 is dated February 27, 1953.
- The order is published in the 49 OG No. 2, 425 (February 1953).
- The order is effective upon its issuance subject to the publication rule applicable to executive issuances in the Official Gazette.