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

Legal basis and governing reference

Executive Order No. 313 is promulgated under the authority vested in the President and to implement the authorization in Commonwealth Act No. 602.
Executive Order No. 313 expressly treats certain permitted/required uses as governed by the detailed rules in Commonwealth Act No. 602, including the treatment of violations under Section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 602.

National Coat-of-Arms design rules

The national Coat-of-Arms has defined components:
- Arms: Paleways of two pieces—dexter (right), azure (blue), and sinister (left), gules (red); and a chief white bearing three mullets (five-pointed stars) (gold), with the arrangement specified across the center and sides.
- An oval field white, bearing the symbolic eight-rayed sun in rayonnant, or (gold), with each ray flanked by lesser and minor rays in or (gold).
- Crest: The American eagle proper, with the specified talon holdings (olive branch and eight fruits; three spears) in the stated colors.
- Scroll: Beneath the seal proper, a scroll, argent (silver), bearing the word “Philippines” in or (gold), placed just below but without touching the seal proper.
The American eagle crest is designated as the symbol of American sovereignty.

Local coat-of-arms and municipal retention

Provinces and chartered cities are authorized to adopt and use their own Coat-of-Arms showing local heraldry with geographical, industrial, or historical characteristics that distinguish them.
Adoption and use of local Coat-of-Arms require:
- Recommendation by the Philippines Heraldry Committee created by Executive Order No. 310 (dated December 4, 1940); and
- Approval by the President.
Local Coat-of-Arms already granted and in use during the Spanish regime (e.g., the Coat-of-Arms of Manila) may be retained.

Great Seal design, custody, and official use

The Great Seal of the Government is circular, using the arms as described for the national Coat-of-Arms but without the scroll and the inscription.
The Great Seal includes:
- A double margin circle; and
- Words around the ring: “Government of the Philippines” on top and “United States of America” on the bottom, separated by two small five-pointed stars.
For placing the Great Seal, the colors of the arms are not deemed essential.
Custody and attachment rules:
- The Great Seal shall be and remain in the custody of the President of the Philippines.
- It is to be affixed to or placed upon all commissions signed by the President and on other official documents and papers of the Commonwealth of the Philippines as may be provided by law or as required by custom and usage in the President’s discretion.

Other seals and administrative seal limits

The official seals of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the various Departments must be similar to the Great Seal, except in the wording around the ring, and must not exceed 7/8 of the Great Seal or 2-3/4 inches in diameter.
Court and office seals must be designed as follows:
- The Court of Appeals and other courts’ commissions, bureaus, and other government offices or entities use a seal containing the Coat-of-Arms proper without the crest or scroll, with the name of the government entity around the ring.
- Their size must not exceed 2/3 of the Great Seal or 2 inches in diameter.
Corporate or official seals of political subdivisions:
- Provinces, cities, municipalities, and other political subdivisions may keep appropriate seals if authorized by law.
- Such seals must follow the requirements for court/office seals (without the crest or scroll) and may include the local Coat-of-Arms prescribed for local use.
Administrative seals limitation:
- Administrative seals used on routine internal administration are ordinary office seals only.
- Administrative seals shall not bear the Coat-of-Arms of the Government and are not treated as official or corporate seals.

Seals on personal flags and specified heraldic uses

Only the personal flag of the President of the Philippines may bear the national Coat-of-Arms in full colors.
If personal flags are authorized for other officials, they must display in the center the seal device of the corresponding Department.
Armed forces use:
- The national Coat-of-Arms used as insignia of the armed forces must be as prescribed in Commonwealth Act No. 602 with no modification whatsoever.
- Heraldic designs may be used only as embellishment or supports.
- The Coat-of-Arms may be used only on cap, helmet, hat or coat lapels and never as belt badges.
Police badges:
- The Coat-of-Arms may not be used as a background for police badges.
- The shield proper only may be used without the crest, bearing a scroll with the name of the city or municipality, with or without heraldic embellishment or support.
Government vessels and planes:
- Government vessels (except tugboats, cascos, dredges, or any watercraft for marine labor) and government planes may use the Coat-of-Arms in full colors, gold or silver, as required by regulations of the different departments.
Government cars and railway coaches:
- The Coat-of-Arms may not be painted on government cars or railway coaches except:
  - On vehicles personally or officially used by the President of the Philippines (in full colors); and
  - On vehicles officially used by the Vice President, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (in silver).
- If used in plate-number to indicate government ownership, only an outline form of the shield without emblazoning is sufficient.

Prohibited commercial use and restricted displays

Official letterheads/envelopes:
- The Coat-of-Arms may be used in letterheads and envelopes for official purposes only.
- If used by any government employee for private or personal correspondence, it is dealt with administratively.
Personal stationery and greeting cards restriction:
- The national Coat-of-Arms may not be used in personal stationary, name cards, or greeting cards except for:
  - Those of the President of the Philippines, Vice President, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in full colors (gold, silver or dry seal as may be directed) for the President, and in dry seal, gold or silver for the others.
Limited use on personal stationery of specified officials:
- The national Coat-of-Arms proper (without crest and scroll) may be used in the personal stationery of specified officials and offices: members of the Cabinet, members of the Congress, judges of any court of record, commissioners, generals of the armed forces, bureau directors, provincial governors, and city mayors.
Coins and currency:
- Use of the Coat-of-Arms in Philippine coins or Philippine currency of any kind is by authority of the President of the Philippines.
Prohibition on trademarks, advertisements, and labels:
- Use of the Coat-of-Arms and Great Seal as trade-marks, advertisements, or labels for commercial, industrial, or agricultural purposes by private persons, corporations or associations is prohibited.
- Printing or stamping the same on articles or commodities intended for sale, barter or exchange is prohibited.
- Any violation is punishable under Section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 602.
Gambling-related display prohibition:
- Display or use of the national Coat-of-Arms or the Great Seal in cockpits, clubhouses, or buildings dedicated to gambling of any kind, public dance halls, dancing schools, and show-houses is prohibited.
- Violations are dealt with as provided in Section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 602.
National decorations in private or commercial spaces:
- When the Coat-of-Arms and Great Seal are used in the interior of private residences and/or commercial houses as national decorations, they must occupy a place of prominence, like the national flag.

Penalties and compliance consequences

Violations involving use of the Coat-of-Arms and Great Seal as trade-marks, advertisements, labels, or on commodities intended for sale, barter, or exchange are punishable under Section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 602.
Violations involving prohibited displays in gambling-related venues and the listed entertainment establishments are dealt with as provided in Section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 602.
Misuse by government employees on personal/private correspondence is addressed through administrative action.

Designations, sizes, and placement requirements

The Great Seal includes specified ring wording and a double margin, with the arms in the specified configuration but without the scroll and inscription.
The official seals of Congress, the Supreme Court, and Departments follow the Great Seal model with size limits of 2-3/4 inches at most (as 7/8 of the Great Seal).
Court/office seals follow the Coat-of-Arms proper (without crest or scroll) with size limits of 2 inches at most (as 2/3 of the Great Seal).
The scroll on the Coat-of-Arms proper must be placed just below but without touching the seal proper.