REPUBLIC ACT

NO. 8491
Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines

AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE CODE

OF THE NATIONAL FLAG,
ANTHEM, MOTTO, COAT- OF- ARMS
AND OTHER HERALDIC ITEMS
AND DEVICES OF THE
PHILIPPINES.
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE . THIS ACT
SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE “FLAG AND HERALDIC
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy – Reverence and
respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the
anthem and other national symbols which embody the
national ideals and traditions and which express the
principles of sovereignty and national solidarity. The
heraldic items and devices shall seek to manifest the
national virtues and to inculcate in the minds and
hearts of our people a just pride in their native land,
fitting respect and affection for the national flag and
anthem, and the proper use of the national motto, coat-
of-arms and other heraldic items and devices.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms

Whenever used in this Act, the term:

a. “Military” shall mean 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;
b.“Festoon” shall mean to hang in a curved shape between
two points as a decoration;

c.“Flag” shall mean the Philippine National Flag, unless

stated otherwise;

d.“Fly” shall mean the part of the flag outside the hoist or
length;

e.“Symbol” shall mean any conventional sign which reveals

man’s achievement and heroism (for orders and
decorations), identification, authority and a sign of dignity
(for coat-of-arms, logo and insignia);

f.“Half-Mast” shall mean lowering the flag to one-half the

distance between the top and bottom of the staff;
g. “Hoist” shall mean the part of the flag nearest the staff or
the canvass to which the halyard is attached;

h. “Inclement Weather” shall mean that a typhoon signal is

raised in the locality;

i. “National Anthem” shall mean the Philippine National

Anthem’

j. “Official Residences” shall mean Malacañang, and other government-

owned structures where the President resides, and other structures
occupied by the Philippine Consulate or Embassies abroad;

k. “Places of Frivolty” shall mean places of hilarity marked by

or providing boisterous merriment or recreation; and

l. “Institute” shall mean the National Historical Institute.

 Chapter 1
THE NATIONAL FLAG

SECTION 4. The flag of the Philippines shall be

blue, white and red with an eight-rayed
golden-yellow sun and three five-pointed
stars, as consecrated and honored by the
people.
SECTION 5. The flag shall be displayed in all public
buildings, official residences public plazas, and
institutions of learning everyday throughout the year.

SECTION 6. The flag shall be permanently hoisted, day

and night throughout the year, in front of the following;

at Malacanang Palace; the Congress of the Philippines

building; Supreme Court building; the Rizal Monument
in Luneta, Manila; Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite;
Barasoain Shrine in Malolos, Bulacan; the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier, Libingan ngmga Bayani; Mausuleo
de los Beteranos dela Revolucion; all International
Ports of Entry and all other places as maybe designated
by the Institute.
SECTION 7. The flag shall also be displayed in private
buildings and residences or raised in the open flag- staffs
in front of said buildings every:

 April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan)

 May 1 (Labor Day);
 May 28 (National Flag Day) to June 12 (Independence
Day);
 last Sunday of August (National Heroes Day);
 November 30 (Bonifacio Day);
 December 30 (Rizal Day);

and on such other days as may be declared by the President

and/or local chief executives.
The flag may also be displayed throughout the year in
private buildings or offices or raised in the open on
flag- staffs in front of private buildings: Provided, that
they observe flag-raising ceremonies in accordance with
the rules and regulations to be issued by the Office of
the President.

SECTION 8. All government agencies and

instrumentalities, and local government offices,
government-owned corporations and local government
units are enjoined to observe flag day with appropriate
ceremonies. Socio-civic groups, non-government
organizations and the private sector are exhorted to
cooperate in making the celebrations a success.
SECTION 9. The flag shall be flown on merchant ships
of Philippine registry of more than one thousand
(1000) gross tons and on all naval vessels.

On board naval vessels, the flag shall be displayed on

the flagstaff at the stern when the ship is at anchor.
The Flag shall be hoisted to the gaff at the aftermast
when the ship is at sea.
SECTION 10. The flag, if flown from a flagpole, shall
have its blue field on top in time of peace and the red
field on top in time of war; if in a hanging position,
the blue field shall be to the right (left of the
observer) in rime of peace, and the red field to the
right (left of the observer) in time of war.
SECTION 11. If planted on the ground, the
flagpole shall be at a prominent place and shall
be of such height as would give the flag
commanding position in relation to the
buildings in the vicinity.
 SECTION 11.

If attached to a building, the flagpole shall be on

top of its roof or anchored on a sill projecting at
an angle upward.

Philippine Embassy, London

SECTION 11.

If on stage or platform or government office, the

flag shall be at the left (facing the stage) or the
left of the office upon entering.
 SECTION 12. When the Philippine flag is flown
with another flag, the flags, if both are national flags,
must be flown on separate staffs of the same height
and shall be of equal size. The Philippine flag shall be
hoisted first and lowered last.

If the other flag is not a national flag, it may be flown

in the same lineyard as the Philippine flag but below
the latter and it cannot be of greater size than the
Philippine flag.
 SECTION 13. When displayed with another flag,
the Philippine flag shall be on the right of the
other flag. If there is a line of other flags, the
Philippine flag shall be in the middle of the line.

When carried in a parade with flags, which are not

national flags, the Philippine flag shall be in
front of the center of the line.
SECTION 14. A flag worn out through wear and tear
shall not be thrown away. It shall be solemnly burned
to avoid misuse or desecration. The flag shall be
replaced immediately when it begins to show signs of
wear and tear.

SUNSTAR
San Fernando disposes old, worn out Philippine flags - SUNSTAR
SECTION 15. The flag shall be raised at sunrise
and lowered at sunset. It shall be on the mast
at the start of official office hours, shall remain
flying throughout the day.
SECTION 16. THE FLAG MAY BE DISPLAYED:
SECTION 17. The flag shall be hoisted to the top
briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
The flag shall never touch anything beneath it, such
as
the ground, flood, water or other objects.
After being lowered, the flag shall be handled and
folded solemnly as part of the ceremony.
SECTION 18. All government offices and educational
institutions shall henceforth observe the flag-raising
ceremony every Monday morning and the flag
lowering ceremony every Friday afternoon. The
ceremony shall be simple and dignified and shall
include the playing or singing of the Philippine
National Anthem.

SECTION 19. The office of the President upon the

recommendation of the Institute shall issue rules
and regulations for the proper conduct of the flag
ceremony.
SECTION 20. The observance of the flag ceremony
in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and
dignified and shall include the playing or singing of
the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march
tempo.
SECTION 21. During the flag-raising ceremony, the
assembly shall stand in formation racing the flag. At
the moment the first note of the anthem is heard,
everyone in the premises shall come to attention;
moving vehicles shall stop. All persons present
shall ace their right palms over their chests,
those with hats shall uncover, while those in
military, scouting, security guard, and
citizens military training uniforms shall give
salute prescribed by their regulations, which salute
shall be completed upon the last note of the anthem.
The assembly shall sing the Philippine national
anthem, accompanied by a band, if available, and at
the first note, the flag shall be raised briskly.
The same procedure shall be observed when the flag is
passing in review or in parade.

SECTION 22. During the flag lowering, the flag shall

be lowered solemnly and slowly so that the flag shall
be down the mast at the sound of the last note of the
anthem. Those in the assembly shall observe the
same deportment or shall observe the same behavior
as for the flag-raising ceremony.
SECTION 23. The flag shall be flown at half-mast as
a sign of mourning on all buildings and places
where it is displayed, as provided for in this Act, on
the day of official announcement of the death of any
of the following officials:
a. The President or a former President, for ten (10) days;
b. The Vice-President, the Chief Justice, the President of the Senate,
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, for seven
(7) days; and
c. Other persons to be determined by the Institute, for any period less
than seven (7) days.

The flag shall be flown at half-mast on all 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 or the House of Representatives, and such other persons as
may be determined by the Institute.

The flag when flown at half-mast shall be first hoisted to the peak for a
moment then lowered to the half-mast position. The flag shall again be
raised briskly to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
SECTION 24. The flag may be used to cover the caskets of the honored
dead of the military, veterans of previous wars, national artists, and of
civilians who have rendered distinguished service to the nation, as
maybe determined by the local government unit concerned. In such
cases, the flag shall be placed such that the white triangle shall be at
the head and the blue portion shall cover the right side of the caskets.
The flag shall not be lowered to the grave or allowed to touch the
ground, but shall be folded solemnly and handed over to the heirs of
the deceased.
 SECTION 25. The following shall be the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Philippine Flag:

Ako ay Filipino
Buong katapatang nanunumpa Sa watawat ng Pilipinas
At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag
Na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan Na pinakikilos ng
sambayanang
Maka-Diyos Maka-tao Makakalikasan at Makabansa

Such pledge shall be recited while standing with the right

hand palm open raised shoulder high. Individuals whose
faith or religious beliefs prohibit them from making such
pledge must nonetheless show full respect when the pledge is
being rendered by standing at attention.
 SECTION 26. The period from May 28 to June 12
of each year is declared as Flag Days, during which
period all offices, agencies and instrumentalities of
government, business establishments, institutions of
learning and private homes are enjoined to display
the flag.
SECTION 34. It shall be prohibited:
a. To mutilate, deface, defile, trample, on or cast
contempt any act or omission casting dishonor or
ridicule upon the flag over its surface;

b. To dip the flag to any person or object by way of

compliment or salute;
c. To use the flag:

1. As a drapery, festoon,
tablecloth
2.As covering for ceilings,
walls, statues or other
objects;
3.As a pennant in the hood,
side, back and top of
motor vehicles;
4.As a staff or whip;
5.For unveiling monuments
or statues; and
6.As trademarks or for
industrial, commercial or
agricultural labels or
designs.
d. Display the flag:

1.Under any painting or

picture;
2.Horizontally face-up. It
shall always be hoisted
aloft and be allowed to
fall freely;
3.Below any platform; or
4.In discotheques,
cockpits, night and day
clubs, casinos, gambling
joints and places of vice
or where frivolity
prevails.
e. To wear the flag in whole or in
part as a costume or uniform;
f. To add any word, figure,
mark, picture, design,
drawings, advertisements, or
imprint of any nature on the
flag;
g. To print, paint or attach
representation of the flag on
handkerchiefs, napkins,
cushions, and other articles of
merchandise;
h. To display in public any
foreign flag, except in
embassies and other
diplomatic establishments,
and in offices of international
organizations.
i. To use, display or be part of
any advertisement of
infomercial; and
j. To display the flag in front of
buildings or offices occupied
by aliens.
SECTION 35. The National Anthem is
entitled Lupang Hinirang.

SECTION 36. The National Anthem

shall always be sung in the national
language within or without the country.
The following shall be the lyrics of the
National Anthem.
SECTION 37. The rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung,
shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian
Felipe.

SECTION 38. When the National Anthem is played at a public gathering,

whether by a band or by singing or both, or reproduced by any means, the
attending public shall sing the anthem. The singing must be done with fervor.

As a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine
flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or
the conductor. At the first note, all persons shall execute a salute by placing
their right palms over their left chests. Those in military, scouting, citizen’s
military training and security guard uniforms shall give the salute prescribed
by their regulations. The salute shall be completed upon the last note of the
anthem.
The anthem shall not be played and sung for mere recreation, amusement or
entertainment purposes except on the following occasions:

a. International competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a

representative;

b. Local competitions;

c. During “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting

and television stations;

d. Before the initial and last screening of films or before the opening of theater
performances; and

e. Other occasions as may be allowed by the Institute.

SECTION 39. All officials and employees of the national
and local governments, and any agencies or
instrumentalities thereof, including government- owned or
controlled corporations, privately-owned entities of offices
displaying the national flag and government institutions of
learning are hereby directed to comply strictly with the
rules prescribed for the rendition of the anthem. Failure to
observe the rules shall be a ground for administrative
discipline.
 CHAPTER III

THE NATIONAL MOTTO

SECTION 40. The national Motto shall be

“MAKA-DIYOS, MAKA-TAO,
MAKAKALIKASAN AT MAKABANSA.”
 CHAPTER IV
NATIONAL COAT-OF-ARMS

SECTION 41. The National Coat-of-Arms shall have:

Paleways of two (2) pieces, azure and gules; a chief argent
studded with three (3) mullets equidistant from each other;
and, in point of honor, ovoid argent over all the sun
rayonnant with eight minor lesser rays. Beneath shall be the
scroll with the words “REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS,”
inscribed thereon.
 CHAPTER V
THE GREAT SEAL

SECTION 42. The Great Seal shall be circular in form, with the
arms as described in the preceding section, but without the
scroll and the inscription thereon. Surrounding the whole
shall be a double marginal circle within which shall appear
the words “RepublikangPilipinas.” For the purpose of placing
The Great Seal, the color of the arms shall not be deemed
essential but tincture representation must be used.

The Great Seal shall bear the National Motto.

SECTION 43. The Great Seal shall be affixed to or placed upon

all commissions signed by the President and upon such other
official documents and papers of the Republic of the
Philippines as may be provided by law, or as may be required
bv custom and usage. The President shall have custody of the
Great Seal.
 CHAPTER VII
PENALTIES

 SECTION 50. Any person or judicial entity which

violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon
conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Five
thousand pesos (5,000.00) not more than Twenty
thousand pesos (P20,000.00), or by imprisonment for
not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and
imprisonment, at the discretion of the court: Provided,
That for any second and additional offenses, both fine
and imprisonment shall always be
imposed: Provided, That in case the violation
is commited by a juridical person, its President or
Chief Executive Officer thereof shall be liable.
 ▪ Have you broken any of these rules about the use of the
Philippine flag? If you have, know that the penalty for such is a
fine of up to P20,000 or imprisonment of up to one year.
▪ 1| Adding text, pictures, designs, or marks on the flag or
any image of the flag.
▪ This is probably the most common violation of the Flag and
Heraldic Code, because there are so many images on the
Internet where the Philippine flag is used as a backdrop for
texts, pictures, or designs. If you own or are displaying such
images on your social media (are you using an edited version
of the Philippine flag on your profile photo?), consider taking
them down.

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/notes-and-essays/philippine-flag-laws
 ▪ 2| Wearing the flag on your clothing, especially on shoes.
▪ If you think #1 was overkill, it should come as no surprise that this
one is also prohibited. The Philippine flag’s design shall not be
used as a base for clothing such as jackets, t-shirts, and shoes.
▪ 3| Displaying the flag front of a building or office occupied by
foreigners.
▪ We don’t know why this provision was included in the law, but it
was probably added to avoid the instance of aliens handling the
Philippine flag.
▪ 4| Printing, painting, or attaching a representation of the flag
on handkerchiefs, napkins, cushions, and similar items.
▪ Handkerchiefs and napkins are used to wipe dirt off the face, while
cushions are made to be lay or sat on, which are inappropriate for
the flag.

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/notes-and-essays/philippine-flag-laws
 ▪ 5| Wearing the flag in whole or in part as costume or uniform.
▪ Sports teams are susceptible to committing this mistake. If you
belong to any team, remember not to use the Philippine flag as a
dominant design for your jackets, jerseys, or other team uniforms
and merchandise.
▪ 6| Displaying the flag in bars, clubs, and casinos or any place
where frivolity prevails.
▪ You don’t have to memorize the places where the flag shall not be
displayed. If you are not sure where not to display the flag, just
remember not to hang the flag in any place of entertainment,
whether it is wholesome or not.
▪ 7| Using the flag on your brand or business labels.
▪ Businesses should not make a profit of the image of the Philippine
flag by using it as part of their trademark or label, including
on business or calling cards.

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/notes-and-essays/philippine-flag-laws
 ▪ 8| Displaying the flag under any picture.
▪ If you have to hang the flag on a wall, make sure to hang it
ABOVE any painting, picture, frame, or wall hanging.
▪ 9| Hanging the flag horizontally on the wall.
▪ The proper way to hang the flag on the wall is vertically with
the blue side on the left.
▪ 10| Damaging the flag.
▪ This is the most obvious, but apparently needs emphasis: you
shall not mutilate, deface, defile, trample, cast any contempt or
act of omission that will dishonor the flag.

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/notes-and-essays/philippine-flag-laws