Law Summary
Permanent Display Locations
- The flag shall be hoisted day and night at prominent locations: MalacaAang (official residence of the President), Congress building, Supreme Court building, Rizal Monument in Luneta, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Rules on Salutes and Use in Salutations
- The flag should never be used to salute individuals or organizations.
- It is not to be dipped in salute except during official acts between states.
Proper Orientation of the Flag
- When on a flagpole, the blue field is on top in peace time and the red field on top during war.
- When hung, the blue field is on the right (left of observer) during peace and the red field on the right in war.
Hoisting Procedures and Positioning
- The flagpole, if ground planted, must be in a commanding high position.
- Poles attached to buildings must be on top of the roof or positioned projecting upward if at a window.
Display with Other Flags
- The Philippine Flag must always be positioned above or to the right of other flags.
- When paraded with foreign flags, it shall be in front and center.
Conduct During Flag Processions
- People must halt, uncover, stand at attention and salute the flag when it passes during parades or reviews.
Flag on National and Special Holidays
- The flag must be displayed on all public and special holidays, and whenever possible, in private homes.
Restrictions on Displaying Foreign Flags
- Foreign flags are prohibited except in diplomatic missions, international conferences, or on foreign national holidays, provided the Philippine flag is displayed alongside and in place of honor.
Display Restrictions for Buildings Owned by Foreigners
- The Philippine Flag shall not be displayed in front of buildings owned by aliens except on Philippine national or special holidays or the alien's national holidays.
Protocol While Raising and Lowering the Flag
- The flag must never touch the ground when lowered and must be handled reverently.
- People should face the flag, uncover, stand at attention and salute during raising, lowering, and playing of the National Anthem.
- Vehicles must stop and passengers must observe these protocols.
Half-Mast Display Rules
- The flag may be hoisted at half-mast as a sign of mourning, first raised to full-mast then lowered to half-mast.
- Authorization for half-mast at national level is by the President; local officials may also order it as allowed.
Restrictions on Flag Usage and Decorations
- The flag shall never be festooned, covered, used as a staff or whip, or as a curtain.
- It may cover the caskets of honored military dead under specific arrangements.
- Advertising, imprinting, or desecration, including use as costume or vehicle pennant, is strictly prohibited.
Inappropriate Uses of the Flag
- Use in places of amusement, gambling, or hilarity is prohibited.
- The flag should not be used to cover or unveil statues or monuments.
Disposal of Worn-Out Flags
- Flags worn out through use must be reverently burned, not discarded in trash or used as rags.
- Government offices and schools must replace tattered flags immediately.
Playing and Singing the National Anthem
- The anthem should be played only during official or civic ceremonies.
- People must stand at attention, face the band or flag, and uncover in the immediate area.
- The anthem should not be used for recreation or partisan events but must be taught and sung in schools.
- It should always be sung in Filipino.
Manner of Saluting
- Armed Forces members in uniform shall perform the military salute.
- Civilians outdoors must stand at attention, uncover hats, and hold them over the heart in silence.
- No movement should occur during the ceremony.
The rules are prescribed to cultivate patriotism, reverence for national symbols, and orderly observance of the Philippine Flag and National Anthem.