Law Summary
Definitions of Awards and Honors
- Order: Exclusive membership award with distinctive insignia
- Decoration: Wearable award for specific meritorious acts
- Medal: Wearable award for service, achievement, or significant events
- Award: Tangible recognition such as plaques or citations
- Orders, Decorations, and Medals collectively termed "Honors"
Order of Precedence for Civilian Honors
- Ranked to reflect relative value, importance, seniority, and prestige
- Order established is:
- 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
Order and Manner of Wear
- The Chancellery of Philippine Orders and State Decorations to prescribe rules for wearing insignia
- Applies to all Philippine and foreign Orders, Decorations, Medals, and Presidential Awards
- Ensures compliance with the Order of Precedence
Details on Specific Honors Conferred
I. Quezon Service Cross
- Highest Decoration for exemplary service of great national benefit
- Requires concurrence of Congress
- Nominations based on service aligned with legacy of President Quezon
II. Order of Lakandula, Order of Sikatuna, Philippine Legion of Honor
- Order of Lakandula: Political and civic merit; multiple ranks from Grand Collar to Member
- Order of Sikatuna: Diplomatic merit for fostering international relations; multiple ranks
- Philippine Legion of Honor: Military-related service with a civilian division; multiple ranks
- Each order has specific ranks with eligibility criteria tied to public service or official status
III. Order of Gabriela Silang
- Conferred on spouses of heads of State or government, Filipino and foreign
IV. National Recognition Orders and Awards
- Order of National Artists: Highest for arts and letters, recommended by cultural agencies
- Order of National Scientists: Highest for physical sciences and technology, recommended by National Academy
- Order of National Social Scientists: Highest for social sciences, recommended by National Academy
- Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan: Recognition for traditional Filipino arts, based on RA 7355
V. Gawad Mabini
- For DFA personnel and Filipinos promoting national interests abroad
- Awarded annually on July 22 with three ranks
VI. Order of the Golden Heart
- Recognizes distinguished services for Filipino masses’ welfare and volunteerism
- Multiple ranks including Grand Collar and Member
VII. Presidential Medal of Merit
- Awarded for outstanding service to the President or the country in diverse fields
- Includes cultural contributions and international prestige
Posthumous Conferment
- Honors may be awarded posthumously
- Received by legal heirs or designated persons if no heirs exist
Classification of Other Presidential Awards
- President may confer other awards which are distinct from official Honors
- Such awards are not included in the Honors Code
Creation and Duties of the Chancellery
- Established in the Office of Presidential Protocol
- Coordinates implementation and maintains the roster of Honorees
- Develops guidelines on Order of Wear and standards
- Approves manufacturers to ensure quality and specification compliance
- Recommends modifications and issues technical guidelines
Committee on Honors
- Chaired by the Executive Secretary with key government officials as members
- Assists the President in evaluating nominations for Honors and Awards
- May authorize subcommittees in relevant agencies
- Meets quarterly or as necessary
Schedule and Discontinuance of Awards
- Honors generally conferred on national holidays or as determined by the President
- Only enumerated Honors to be awarded going forward
- Certain previously awarded civilian Awards discontinued but remain effective for current holders
- Unlisted Awards may continue as Presidential Awards but are not Honors
Implementation and Affected Issuances
- Chancellery to coordinate with government agencies for records and materials
- Repeals or modifies inconsistent prior directives
- Based on multiple previous laws, decrees, and executive orders
- Effective immediately upon signing