Purpose and substantive eligibility
- The Medal of Honor is for a citizen who performs an act of extraordinary heroism in protecting life and liberty.
- Eligibility requires the heroic act to be done at the grave peril of his own life and beyond the call of duty.
- The Medal of Honor is also for a citizen who renders notably meritorious services of singular value to the State.
- The meritorious services must be rendered while performing functions of private or public nature that are of non-military character.
Time limits for issuance
- No medal shall be issued to any person after more than three years from the date of the act justifying the award.
- No medal shall be issued unless an official statement or report that distinctly sets forth the heroic act or meritorious service and suggests or recommends public recognition is made within two years after its performance.
- Acts of heroism and meritorious services accomplished prior to the issuance of this order but after the inauguration of the Commonwealth Government may still be recommended and awarded.
- For such prior acts, the corresponding medal award must be made within three years from the date hereof.
Character and service integrity bar
- No medal shall be issued to any person who has been dishonorably discharged from the military or civil service.
- No medal shall be issued to any person dishonorably discharged from any position of trust or responsibility under the government.
- No medal shall be issued to any person whose entire record of service in the government in whatever capacity after the time he distinguished himself shall not have been honorable.
Recommendation and approving channels
- The heads of all executive departments are authorized and directed to make recommendations to the Chief Executive from time to time for the award.
- Recommendations must identify deserving citizens for the Medal of Honor.
Administrative processing and presentation
- The Philippine Army is designated as the agency charged with the mechanical details of procurement and presentation of the award.
Date, issuance, and effectivity rule
- Executive Order No. 251 is signed at the City of Manila on January 17, 1940.
- The order is issued during the Commonwealth of the Philippines, specifically the fifth year of the Commonwealth.
- The order provides operative timelines keyed to (a) the date of the act, (b) the time after performance for filing the official statement or report, and (c) the date of the order for prior acts recommended after the inauguration of the Commonwealth Government.