REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491 (R.
A 8491)
- FLAG AND HERALDIC CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
-Is an act prescribing the code of the NATIONAL ANTHEM, MOTTO, COAT-OF ARMS, and other
HERALDIC ITEMS and DEVICES in the Philippines.
- Reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded to the flag, the anthem, and other national
symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of
sovereignty.
What does the design of the Philippine Flag means?
WHITE TRIANGLE - Equality
3 STARS - Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao
8 RAYS OF SUN - Manila, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac, Cavite, Batangas
BLUE - symbolizes patriotism and justice
RED - represents valor and the blood spilt for freedom and independence
WHITE - stands for peace and purity
What is the proper hoisting & display of the Philippine Flag?
The flag shall be displayed in all:
public buildings,
official residences,
public plazas; and
institutions of learning everyday throughout the year
PERMANENTLY HOISTED IN:
Malacañang Palace,
Congress,
Supreme Court, etc.
The flag shall also be displayed in private buildings and residences or raised in the open on flag-staffs in
front of said buildings:
Every April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan)
May 1 (Labor Day)
May 28 (National Day Flag) to June 12 (Independence Day)
Last Sunday of August (National Heroes Day)
November 30 (Bonifacio Day); and
December 30 (Rizal D
Other conditions for hoisting and display
The flag shall be flown on merchant ships of Philippine registry of more than one thousand
(1000) gross tons and on all naval vessels.
The flag shall, 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 hanging position, the blue field shall be at the right in time of peace, and the red field at the
right in time of war.
If on stage or on a platform or government office, the flag shall be at the left facing the stage or
the left of the office upon entering.
When the Philippine flag is flown with another flags, both are national flags, must be flown on
separate staffs of the same height and shall be of equal size. The flag shall be hoisted first and
lowered last.
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.
When do we put the Philippine Flag in HALF-MAST?
Position Number of days
President or Former President 10 days
Vice President, Chief Justice, Senate President, 7 days
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Other persons to be determined by the Institute 7 days
When do we put the Philippine Flag as a cover on the Casket?
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 may be determined by the local government unit concerned.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag
Ako ay Pilipino
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
Makabansa
“Flag Days”
The period from May 28 to June 12 each year is declared as flag days, during which period all
offices, agencies, instrumentalities of government, business establishments, institutions of
learning and private homes are enjoined to display the flag.
What are the prohibited acts of our Philippine Flag?
To mutilate, deface, defile, trample, or cast contempt or commit any act or omission casting
dishonor or ridicule upon the flag or over its surface
To use the flag as:
Drapery, festoon, tablecloth
Covering for ceilings, walls, statues, or other objects
As a pennant in the hood, side back, and top of motor vehicles
As a staff or a whip
For unveiling monuments and statues
As trademarks, or for industrial, commercial or agricultural labels or designs
Under any painting or picture;
Horizontally face – up, it shall always be hoisted aloft and be allowed to fall freely
Below any platform
In discotheques, cockpits, night and day clubs, casinos, gambling joints and places of
vice or where frivolity prevails
To wear the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform
To add any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawings, advertisement, or imprint of any
nature on the flag
To print, paint or attach representations of the flag
What is the National Anthem of the Philippines?
Lupang Hinirang
JULIAN FELIPE - musical arrangement
JOSE PALMA - lyricist
