Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines

Definitions and key terms

Section 3 defines “Military” as all branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.
Section 3 defines “Festoon” as hanging in a curved shape between two points as a decoration.
Section 3 defines “Flag” as the Philippine National Flag, unless stated otherwise.
Section 3 defines “Half-Mast” as lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff.
Section 3 defines “Inclement Weather” as a typhoon signal being raised in the locality.
Section 3 defines “Official Residences” as Malacañang and other government-owned structures where the President resides, and other structures occupied by Philippine consulates or embassies abroad.
Section 3 defines “Places of Frivolity” as places of hilarity marked by or providing boisterous merriment or recreation.
Section 3 defines “Institute” as the National Historical Institute.
Section 3 defines “Symbol” for orders and decorations and for coat-of-arms, logo, and insignia.
Section 3 defines “Fly” and “Hoist” for purposes of flag display.

National flag display rules

Section 4 provides the Philippine flag’s colors and symbols: blue, white and red with an eight-rayed golden-yellow sun and three five-pointed stars.
Section 5 requires the flag be displayed in all public buildings, official residences, public plazas, and institutions of learning every day throughout the year.
Section 6 requires permanent hoisting day and night throughout the year in front of specified national sites, including Malacañang Palace, the Congress building, Supreme Court building, Rizal Monument (Luneta, Manila), Aguinaldo Shrine (Kawit, Cavite), Barasoain Shrine (Malolos, Bulacan), Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Libingan ng mga Bayani), Museo de los Veteranos de la Revolución, and all International Ports of Entry and other places designated by the Institute; it also requires proper illumination at night.
Section 7 mandates flag display in private settings on specific dates: April 9, May 1, May 28 to June 12, last Sunday of August, November 30, and December 30, and requires display on other days declared by the President and/or local chief executives.
Section 7 allows year-round private flag display subject to observing flag-raising ceremonies under rules to be issued by the Office of the President.
Section 8 enjoins government agencies and local government offices, government-owned corporations, and LGUs to observe Flag Day with appropriate ceremonies, and exhorts socio-civic groups, NGOs, and the private sector to cooperate.

Hoisting, positioning, and ceremony requirements

Section 9 requires that the flag be flown on merchant ships of Philippine registry of more than 1,000 gross tons and on all naval vessels; on naval vessels, it must be displayed on the flagstaff at the stern when at anchor and hoisted to the gaff at the aftermast when at sea.
Section 10 requires correct field orientation: blue field on top in time of peace and red field on top in time of war; in a hanging position, the blue field must be to the right (left of the observer) in time of peace and the red field to the right (left of the observer) in time of war; it also requires a straight flagpole staff with slight tapering at the top.
Section 11 sets placement rules: a planted flagpole must be in a prominent place and of height giving a commanding position; an attached flagpole must be on top of the roof or anchored on a sill projecting at an upward angle; on a stage/platform/government office, it must be at the left (facing the stage) or left of the office upon entering.
Section 12 requires equal height and size when two national flags are flown: the Philippine flag must be hoisted first and lowered last; a non-national flag may be flown in the same line yard below the Philippine flag and may not be of greater size.
Section 13 requires the Philippine flag’s positional precedence: it must be on the right of the other flag; in a line of flags, it must be in the middle; in a parade with non-national flags, it must be in front of the center of the line.
Section 15 requires raising at sunrise and lowering at sunset, and requires it to be on the mast at the start of official office hours and remain flying throughout the day.
Section 16 specifies allowed display forms, including indoor/outdoor display and window/balcony/facade placements, and requires the blue field orientation for street-hanging arrangements; it prohibits raising in inclement weather and forbids lowering if already raised.
Section 17 requires brisk hoisting to the top and ceremonious lowering, prohibits the flag from touching anything beneath it (ground, flood, water, or other objects), and requires solemn folding and handling after lowering.
Section 18 requires government offices and educational institutions to hold flag-raising every Monday morning and flag lowering every Friday afternoon, with a simple and dignified ceremony including playing or singing the Philippine National Anthem.
Section 19 empowers the Office of the President to issue rules and regulations for proper flag ceremony conduct upon recommendation of the Institute.
Section 21 mandates deportment during flag raising: the assembly stands facing the flag; on the first note of the anthem, everyone comes to attention; moving vehicles stop; right palm over chest; those with hats must uncover; military/scouting/security guard/CMS uniforms salute as prescribed; the assembly sings the anthem with a band if available; and the flag is raised briskly at the first note.
Section 22 mandates solemn flag lowering and requires the flag to be down the mast at the sound of the last note of the anthem, with the same deportment as raising.

Mourning, caskets, and pledges

Section 23 requires half-mast flights as mourning for deaths announced officially on these periods: 10 days for the President or former President; 7 days for the Vice President, Chief Justice, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives; and for other persons determined by the Institute for a period less than 7 days.
Section 23 requires half-mast at the buildings and places where the decedent was holding office on the day of death until the day of interment of an incumbent member of the Supreme Court, the Cabinet, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and other persons determined by the Institute.
Section 23 requires proper half-mast procedure: first hoist to the peak for a moment, then lower to half-mast; raise to peak again before lowering for the day.
Section 24 permits using the flag to cover the caskets of the honored dead of the military, veterans of previous wars, national artists, and civilians who rendered distinguished service, as determined by the local government unit concerned.
Section 24 requires the flag be placed with the white triangle at the head and the blue portion covering the right side of the caskets; it prohibits lowering to the grave or allowing it to touch the ground, and requires solemn folding and handling over to heirs.
Section 25 sets the Pledge of Allegiance text and requires it be recited standing with the right hand palm open raised shoulder high.
Section 25 requires individuals whose faith or religious beliefs prohibit making the pledge to still show full respect by standing at attention when the pledge is rendered.

Flag days and technical specifications

Section 26 declares Flag Days as the period from May 28 to June 12 each year, during which all offices, agencies and instrumentalities of government, business establishments, institutions of learning, and private homes are enjoined to display the flag.
Section 27 provides flag proportions: width 1, length 2, and sides of the white triangle 1.
Section 28 provides color standards using cable numbers: blue Cable No. 80173, white Cable No. 80001, red Cable No. 80108, and golden yellow Cable No. 80068.
Section 29 requires compliance with design, color, craftsmanship, and material requirements for all purchases, and requires Institute evaluation (through its Heraldry and Display Section) of submitted samples by accredited suppliers offered for government purchase; it also requires those samples be sent by the requisitioning office, not the supplier, and requires approval or disapproval stamping on the canvass reinforcement.
Section 29 requires ITDI or PTRI (DOST) to evaluate material quality and certify conformity, with samples sent annually by the manufacturer and laboratory results submitted to the Institute.
Section 30 requires inspection of government flag deliveries by the requisitioning agency’s internal inspector and the Commission on Audit (COA) using the flag stamp approved by the Institute.
Section 31 requires the Institute, COA, and ITDI/PTRI to prepare guidelines approved by the Office of the President to carry out responsibilities.
Section 32 requires all government agencies and instrumentalities to strictly comply with standards, requisitions, and delivery requirements.
Section 33 requires every government department, agency, office, instrumentality, government-owned or controlled corporation, and LGU (including barangays) to include in their annual budgets the necessary outlay for purchasing the national flag.

Prohibited acts regarding the flag

Section 34 prohibits mutilating, defacing, defiling, trampling on, casting contempt, or committing any act or omission casting dishonor or ridicule upon the flag or over its surface.
Section 34 prohibits dipping the flag to any person or object by way of compliment or salute.
Section 34 prohibits using the flag as a drapery, festoon, tablecloth; as covering for ceilings, walls, statues or other objects; as a pennant in the hood, side, back and top of motor vehicles; as a staff or whip; for unveiling monuments or statues; and as trademarks or for industrial, commercial, or agricultural labels or designs.
Section 34 prohibits displaying the flag under any painting or picture; horizontally face-up; below any platform; and in discotheques, cockpits, night and day clubs, casinos, gambling joints, and places of vice or where frivolity prevails.
Section 34 prohibits wearing the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform; adding any words, figures, marks, pictures, designs, drawings, or advertisements/imprints on the flag; and printing/painting/attaching representations of the flag on handkerchiefs, napkins, cushions, and other merchandise.
Section 34 prohibits displaying any foreign flag in public except in embassies and other diplomatic establishments and offices of international organizations.
Section 34 prohibits using, displaying, or being part of any advertisement or infomercial.
Section 34 prohibits displaying the flag in front of buildings or offices occupied by aliens.

National anthem, motto, and coat-of-arms

Section 35 names the National Anthem as “Lupang Hinirang.”
Section 36 requires the National Anthem be sung in the national language both within and without the country and sets the anthem lyrics in full.
Section 37 requires rendition, whether played or sung, to follow the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.
Section 38 requires the attending public to sing the anthem at public gatherings where it is played, sung, reproduced, or both; it requires singing with fervor.
Section 38 requires respectful conduct: stand at attention and face the Philippine flag if displayed; if none, face the band or conductor; at the first note, execute a salute by placing the right palms over the left chest; military/scouting/CMS/security uniforms salute as prescribed; salute is completed upon the last note.
Section 38 prohibits playing and singing the anthem for mere recreation, amusement, or entertainment, except on these occasions: (a) international competitions where the Philippines are the host or have a representative; (b) local competitions; (c) signing off and signing on of radio and television stations; (d) before initial and last screening of films and before opening of theater performances; and (e) other occasions allowed by the Institute.
Section 39 directs all officials and employees of national and local government and their agencies, including GOCCs, and privately-owned entities/offices displaying the national flag and government educational institutions to comply strictly with anthem rendition rules; failure to observe rules is a ground for administrative discipline.
Section 40 sets the National Motto as “MAKA-DIYOS, MAKA-TAO, MAKAKALIKASAN AT MAKABANSA.”
Section 41 sets the National Coat-of-Arms design elements, including heraldic descriptions and the scroll bearing “REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS.”
Section 42 defines the Great Seal as circular, using the arms described for the coat-of-arms but without the scroll and inscription, with a double marginal circle showing “Republika ng Pilipinas,” and requiring the National Motto to be borne on the Great Seal.
Section 43 provides that the Great Seal is affixed to or placed upon commissions signed by the President and such other official documents and papers as provided by law or custom/usage; it provides the President has custody of the Great Seal.

Other heraldic items; enforcement institutions

Section 44 allows any government entity, including the military, to adopt coat-of-arms, administrative seals, logos, insignia, badges, patches, banners, and initiate awards/citations/orders/decorations as authorized by Congress or the Office of the President.
Section 45 requires filing heraldic devices and items with the Institute for recording and evaluation of precedence, design, customs, and traditions; it requires the Institute to promulgate rules and regulations, which must be submitted for approval to the Office of the President or Congress.
Section 46 orders all government offices including the military to purchase heraldic items and devices only from manufacturers accredited and authorized by the Institute; it makes such items subject to inspection by the purchasing agency’s internal inspector and the COA representative using design and specifications approved by the Office of the President or Congress, through the Institute.
Section 47 prohibits any government official or employee from accepting any order or decoration from any foreign government without Congress’s consent and without prior evaluation and documentation by the Institute.

Penalties and administrative consequences

Section 48 provides that failure or refusal to observe the Act provisions and violations of corresponding Office of the President rules and regulations are penalized, after proper notice and hearing, by public censure published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation.
Section 48 provides that the Department of Education, Culture and Sports and the Commission on Higher Education, upon recommendation of the Institute and after proper notice and hearing, must cause cancellation of the recognition or permit of a private educational institution that fails or refuses to observe the Act for the second time.
Section 49 requires DECS and the Commission on Higher Education to ensure all students in public and private educational institutions commit the National Anthem to memory and perform it during flag ceremonies in accordance with Office of the President rules; it requires them to make available vocal, piano, or band scores to all schools and the general public.
Section 50 provides criminal penalties: any person or juridical entity that violates any provision of the Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than PHP 5,000 nor more than PHP 20,000, or imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both, at the court’s discretion.
Section 50 requires that for second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment must always be imposed.
Section 50 provides that if the violation is committed by a juridical person, its President or Chief Executive Officer is liable.

Implementation, separability, repeal, and effectivity

Section 51 requires the Institute to issue necessary rules and regulations to implement the Act within 90 days after effectivity, and to submit them to the Office of the President and Congress.
Section 52 makes the Institute responsible for strict enforcement and authorizes it to call upon government departments, agencies, offices, government instrumentalities (including government corporations), and LGUs for assistance as necessary.
Section 53 contains a separability clause: invalidity of any provision or part does not affect the validity and subsistence of the remainder.
Section 54 contains a repealing/modifying clause: laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, or regulations inconsistent with the Act are repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
Section 55 states effectivity: the Act takes effect 15 days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approval date is February 12, 1998.