REPUBLIC ACT NO.

8491
Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines
Signed into law by former
President Fidel Valdez Ramos
on February 12, 1998
Full Title:

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.

"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

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 I
THE NATIONAL FLAG
A. Design of 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.
B. Hoisting and Display of the National Flag

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;

Malacanang Palace Congress of the Philippines

Aguinaldo Shrine Supreme Court Building

Rizal Monument in Luneta

 Barasoain Shrine Tomb of Unknown Soldier Libingan ng mga Bayani

Mausuleo de los Beteranos

dela Revolucion

And all International Ports of Entry and all other places as maybe
designated by the Institute.

The flag shall be properly illuminated at night.

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
after mast when the ship is at sea.
On all aircraft to Philippine registry, the National Flag shall be
prominently displayed horizontally on its fuselage with the hoist side
pointing the forward direction
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 time 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.

If attached to a building, the flagpole shall be on top of its roof or

anchored on a sill projecting at an angle upward.
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.
The flag pole must not be equal height or higher than the
Independence Flagpole at the Rizal Park in Manila (107 feet in height)
The minimum length of the flag is ¼ the height of the flagpole,
while maximum length is 1/3 of the flagpole.
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.
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.

The flag shall not be raised when the weather is inclement. If already
raised, the flag shall not be lowered.
SECTION 16. The flag may be displayed:

a. Inside or outside-a building or on a stationary flagpoles. If the flag is

displayed indoors on a flagpole, it shall be placed at the left of the
observer as one enters the room;
b. From the top of a flagpole, which shall be at a prominent place or a
commanding position in relation to the surrounding buildings;
c. From a staff projecting upward from the window sill, canopy, balcony
or facade of a building.
d. In a suspended position from a rope extending from a building to pole
erected away from the building;
e. Flat against the wall vertically with the sun and stars on top;
and
f. Hanging in a vertical position across a street, with the blue field
pointing east, if the road is heading south or north, or pointing north if
the road is heading east or west.
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.
C. Conduct of Flag Raising 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 facing 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 place 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, or 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.
D. Half-Mast

Section 23. The flag shall be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on

all the 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 to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
E. Casket
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.
F. Pledge to the Flag

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, Makatao, 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.
G. Flag Days

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.
H. Specifications of the National Flag

Section 27. The flag shall have the following proportions. The width of the
flag, 1; the length of the flag, 2; and the sides of the white triangle, 1.
Section 28. The technical specifications shall be as follows:

The blue color shall bear Cable No. 80173; the white color, Cable No.
80001; the red color, Cable No. 80108; and the golden yellow, Cable No.
80068.
Section 29. In order to establish uniform criteria in the making of our national
flag and to guarantee its durability by the use of quality materials, the
following standards and procedures shall be observed:

a) All requisitions for the purchase of the Philippine National Flag must be
based on strict compliance with the design, color, craftsmanship and
material requirements of the Government;

b) All submitted samples of flags by accredited suppliers offered for purchase

for government use shall be evaluated as to design, color and craftsmanship
specifications by the Institute, through its Heraldry and Display Sec., which
shall stamp its approval or disapproval on the canvass reinforcement of the
flag sample submitted. The samples shall be sent to the Institute by the
requisitioning office, not by the flag supplier; and

c) The Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) or the Philippine

Textile Research Institute (PTRI) of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) shall evaluate the quality of material of all flag samples
and certify whether the fabric for the blue, white, red and golden yellow
colors, including the canvas submitted, conforms to government requirement
as to quality of the material. The samples shall be sent annually to the
ITDI/PTRI by the manufacturer. The laboratory test results shall be submitted by
the said office to the Institute.
Section 30. All deliveries of the flags requisitioned by the government shall
be inspected by the requisitioning agency's internal inspector and by the
Commission on Audit (COA) using the flag stamped approved by the
Institute as reference.

Section 31. In carrying out its responsibilities under Sec. 4 hereof, the
Institute, COA, the ITDI/PTRI shall prepare guidelines to be approved by
the Office of the President.

Section 32. All government agencies and instrumentalities shall ensure

that the requirements under this Act with respect to the standards,
requisitions and delivery of the national flag are strictly complied with.

Section 33. All departments, agencies, offices, and instrumentalities of the

government, government-owned or controlled corporations, local
government units, including barangays, shall include in their annual
budgets the necessary outlay for the purchase of the national flag.
I. Prohibited Acts
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.

CHAPTER II : THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
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:

International competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a

representative;

Local competitions;

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

television stations;

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

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.
SECTION 40. The national Motto shall be

“MAKA-DIYOS, MAKA-TAO,
MAKAKALIKASAN AT MAKABANSA.”
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 “Republika ng Pilipinas.” 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 by custom and usage. The President shall have custody
of the Great Seal.
CHAPTER VI
OFFICIAL SEAL AND OTHER HERALDIC ITEMS AND DEVICES

SECTION 44. Any government entity, including the military, may

adopt appropriate coat-of-arms, administrative seals, logo,
insignia, badges, patches, banners and initiate awards, citations,
orders or decorations, as may be authorized by the Congress or
the Office of the President.

SECTION 45. Such heraldic devices and items shall be filed with the
Institute for recording and evaluation as to precedence, design,
customs and traditions. The institute shall promulgate the
corresponding rules and regulations which shall be submitted for
approval to the Office of the President or to Congress.
SECTION 46. All government offices including the military are hereby
ordered to purchase all heraldic items and devices from
manufacturers accredited and authorized by the Institute. Such
items and devices shall be subject to inspection by the purchasing
agency’s internal inspector and the COA representative using the
design and specifications approved by the Office of the President or
by the Congress, through the Institute.

SECTION 47. No government official or employee shall accept any

orders or decorations from any foreign government without the
consent of Congress, and without the prior evaluation and
documentation of such order or decoration by the Institute.
 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 committed by a juridical person, its President or Chief
Executive Officer thereof shall be liable.