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

Legal basis and relationship to prior law

The rules on the national Coat-of-Arms are authorized by Commonwealth Act No. 602, as amended by Commonwealth Act No. 614.
The prohibitions and punishments for improper use of the Coat-of-Arms and Great Seal by private parties are tied to section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 602.

National Coat-of-Arms design

The National Coat-of-Arms is the specific heraldic design described in the Order as the Philippines’ Coat-of-Arms proper.
The Arms include paleways of two pieces, azure (blue) and gules (red), a chief argent (silver) studded with three golden stars equidistant from each other, and the over-all features described for Manila (including castle of Spain, and a sea lion), with the specified elements such as doors and windows argent (silver) and the dexter paw a sword hilted or (gold).
The Crest is the American eagle displayed proper and is identified as the symbol of American sovereignty.
The Scroll is placed just below but without touching the seal proper and bears the words “Commonwealth of the Philippines”.

Local coats-of-arms for provinces and cities

Provinces and chartered cities may adopt and use their own Coat-of-Arms showing local heraldry reflecting geographical, industrial or historical characteristics that distinguish them.
Local adoption is made upon recommendation of the Philippine Heraldry Committee created by Executive Order No. 310 (dated December 4, 1940) and is subject to approval of the President.
Coat-of-Arms already granted and in use during the Spanish regime (such as Coat-of-Arms Manila) may be retained.

Great Seal of the Government custody and form

The Great Seal of the Government is circular and contains the arms described for the national Coat-of-Arms, but without the scroll and the inscription.
The Great Seal includes a double marginal circle; in the upper portion appears “Commonwealth of the Philippines” and in the lower portion appears “United States of America”, separated by two small five-pointed stars.
For placement of the Great Seal, the colors of the arms are not deemed essential.
The Great Seal shall remain in the custody of the President of the Philippines.

Use on presidential commissions and other official documents

The Great Seal must be affixed to or placed upon all commissions signed by the President.
The Great Seal is also affixed to or placed upon other official documents and papers of the Commonwealth of the Philippines as may be provided by law, or as may be required by custom and usage in the President’s discretion.

Other official seals and seal sizes

The official seals of the Congress of the Philippines, the Supreme Court, and the various Departments are similar to the Great Seal, with wording around the ring and a size limit of not to exceed 7/8 of the Great Seal or 2-3/4 inches in diameter.
The official seals of the Court of Appeals and other courts, commissions, bureaus, and government offices or entities contain the Coat-of-Arms proper without the crest or scroll, with the name of the government entity around the ring and a size limit of not to exceed 2/3 of the Great Seal or 2 inches in diameter.
Provinces, cities, municipalities, or other political subdivisions may keep appropriate corporate or official seals if authorized by law, and those seals must follow the requirements for paragraph 6(a) and may include the local coat-of-arms under paragraph 2.
Administrative seals used for routine internal administration are ordinary “office seals” only, are not official or corporate seals, and must not bear the Coat-of-Arms of the Government.

Personal flags and official vessel/capital rules

Only the personal flag of the President of the Philippines shall bear the national Coat-of-Arms in full colors.
If authorized, personal flags of other officials display in the center the seal device of the corresponding Department.
The national Coat-of-Arms used as insignia of the armed forces must be as prescribed in Commonwealth Act No. 602 as amended by Commonwealth Act No. 614, with no modification whatsoever, while proper heraldic designs as embellishment or supports are authorized.
Government vessels (except tug-boats, cascos, dredges, or any watercraft for marine labor) and government plans may use the Coat-of-Arms in full colors, gold or silver as required by regulations of the different departments.
The Coat-of-Arms shall not be painted on government cars or railway coaches, except those personally or officially used by the President (in full colors) and those officially used by specified officials (in silver): the Vice-President, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
If used in plate-numbers to indicate government ownership, an outline form of the shield only without emblazoning is sufficient.
The use of the Coat-of-Arms and Great Seal in Philippine coins or Philippine currency of any kind requires authority of the President of the Philippines.

Restrictions on badges, communications, trade, and displays

The Coat-of-Arms shall not be used as background for police badges; however, the shield proper only may be used without the crest, with a scroll bearing the name of the city or municipality, with or without heraldic embellishment or support.
Coat-of-Arms use in letter-heads and envelopes is for official purposes only; use by a government employee for private or personal correspondence is dealt with administratively.
The national Coat-of-Arms cannot be used in personal stationery, name cards, or greetings cards, except those of the President, Vice-President, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, using full colors or dry seal as directed for the President, and using dry seal or gold or silver for others as authorized.
The national Coat-of-Arms proper (without crest and scroll) may be used in the personal stationery of: Cabinet members, members of Congress, judges of any court of record, commissioners, generals of the armed forces, bureau directors, provincial governors, and city mayors.
The Coat-of-Arms and Great Seal may not be used as trade-marks, advertisements, or labels for commercial, industrial or agricultural purposes by private persons, corporations or associations, nor may they be printed or stamped on articles or commodities intended for sale, barter or exchange; violations are punishable under section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 602.
Display or use of the national Coat-of-Arms or Great Seal in cockpits, club houses or buildings dedicated to gambling of any kind, public dance halls, dancing schools, and show-houses is prohibited; violations are dealt with under section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 602.
When used as national decorations in the interior of private residences and/or commercial houses, the Coat-of-Arms and Great Seal shall occupy a place of prominence.

Great Seal and Coat-of-Arms on residences and promotions

National decorations using the Coat-of-Arms or Great Seal in private residences or commercial houses must be given prominence, like the national flag.

Penalties and enforcement by cross-reference

Violations involving trade-marking, advertising, labeling, or commercial printing/stamping by private parties are punishable under section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 602.
Violations involving prohibited displays or uses in gambling venues, dance halls, dancing schools, and show-houses are dealt with under section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 602.

Time and transitional effects

Executive Order No. 313 (dated December 23, 1940) is revoked upon issuance of Executive Order No. 341 on May 03, 1941.