Rules on Use of PH Coat-of-Arms and Seals

Law Summary

Authorization for Local Coats-of-Arms

Provinces and chartered cities may adopt their own coats-of-arms, reflecting local heraldry tied to geography, industry, or history.
Adoption of such local arms requires recommendation from the Philippine Heraldry Committee and approval by the President.
Historical coats-of-arms granted and used during the Spanish regime, such as Manila’s seal, may be retained unchanged.

Design and Custody of the Great Seal

The Great Seal is circular and displays the national arms without the scroll or inscription.
Around the seal is a double marginal circle featuring the inscription "Commonwealth of the Philippines" above and "United States of America" below, separated by two five-pointed stars.
The color of the arms on the Great Seal may vary as color is not essential.
Custody of the Great Seal is entrusted to the President of the Philippines.
It must be affixed to all presidential commissions and other official documents as required by law or presidential discretion.

Specifications for Other Government Seals

Seals of the Congress, Supreme Court, and various departments resemble the Great Seal but differ in the wording and are smaller (up to 7/8 the size of the Great Seal).
Seals for the Court of Appeals, other courts, commissions, bureaus, and government offices feature the coat-of-arms proper without crest or scroll, with a ring naming the entity; these are smaller (up to 2/3 the size).
Provinces, cities, municipalities, and other political subdivisions may have their own official seals bearing local coats-of-arms as prescribed.
Administrative or routine use seals on internal paperwork are ordinary office seals and do not bear the national coat-of-arms.

Use of Coat-of-Arms on Personal Flags

Only the President’s personal flag may bear the national coat-of-arms in full colors.
Personal flags authorized for other government officials display in the center only the departmental seal.

Permitted Uses and Restrictions of the National Coat-of-Arms and Great Seal

The national coat-of-arms as an Armed Forces insignia shall strictly follow the prescribed design without modifications, except for additional heraldic embellishments.
Police badges may include only the shield portion of the coat-of-arms without the crest, with a scroll bearing the city or municipality name.
Government vessels except tugboats, cascos, dredges, or marine labor crafts, and government planes, may use the coat-of-arms in full colors or in gold or silver.
Government cars and railway coaches may display the coat-of-arms colorfully only if used by the President; other high officials’ cars may bear it in silver only.
Plate numbers indicating government ownership may feature only the shield outline without emblazoning.
Usage in coins or currency must be authorized by the President.
Official letterhead and envelopes bearing the coat-of-arms are allowed for official purposes only; personal use by employees is subject to administrative sanctions.
Personal stationery use of the coat-of-arms is restricted to high officials, such as the President, Vice-President, legislative leaders, Supreme Court Chief Justice, Cabinet members, Congress members, judges, and certain high-ranking officials, with prescribed formats.
Commercial or private use as trademarks, advertising, or for articles for sale using the coat-of-arms or Great Seal is expressly prohibited and punishable under Commonwealth Act No. 602.
Use of the coat-of-arms or Great Seal in gambling establishments, dance halls, or similar places is forbidden and punishable.
When used as national decorations in private or commercial buildings, the coat-of-arms and Great Seal must be displayed prominently.

Revocation and Final Provisions

Executive Order No. 313 dated December 23, 1940, is revoked by this order.
The rules are promulgated by the President for uniformity in design and proper official use of the national coat-of-arms and government seals.
These rules govern all government authorities and concerned parties regarding these symbols.