The Philippines starts to commemorate the National Flag Days every 28th of May each year by virtue of Republic Act No. 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
Under the law, the country will observe the National Flag Days until June 12, when we celebrate the Philippine Independence Day.
During the 15-day period, the national government is enjoining every Filipino to display the Philippine flag in their homes, business establishments, institutions, vehicles, and other public places.
In line with the commemoration, we highlighted some provisions of the Flag law that Filipinos should know about the Philippine Flag.
HOW TO PROPERLY DISPLAY THE PHILIPPINE FLAG
If flown from a flagpole, the flag shall have its blue field on top in time of peace, and the red field on top in time of war.
If the flag is in a vertical hanging position, the sun and stars should be on top while the blue field should be on the right (left of the observer) in time of peace, and on right (left of the observer) in time of war.
If attached to a building, the flagpole shall be on top of its roof or anchored on a sill projecting at an angle upward.
Government offices, primary and secondary schools, and private institutions that fly the Philippine flag on a flagpole in their compound must observe the flag-raising ceremony every Monday morning and the flag lowering ceremony every Friday afternoon.
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.
Flags displayed outside a building must be at a prominent location in relation to surrounding buildings. Flags can be hung from a staff projecting upward from a wall, window, roof, balcony, or suspended from a rope to a pole erected away from a building.
PROHIBITED ACTS
Under Section 34 of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, 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 as a drapery, festoon, tablecloth; as 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 whip; for unveiling monuments or statues; and as trademarks or for industrial, commercial or agricultural labels or designs.
d. Display the flag under any painting or picture; horizontally face-up. It shall always be hoisted aloft and be allowed to fall freely; below any platform; or 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.
The law also states that the flag “shall never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, flood, water or other objects.”
Section 14 of the Republic Act No. 8941 also states, “A flag worn out through wear and tear shall not be thrown away. It shall be solemnly burned to avoid misuse or desecration.”
Still, in line with the commemoration of the National Flag Days, the Department of the Interior and Local Government reminded all Filipinos to express respect and reverence to the Philippine flag and other national symbols.
The DILG, in memorandum circular no. 2019-76, also enjoined all local chief executives to support the celebration nationwide and share the agency’s “Stop and Salute” photos on social media along with the #SaluteToACleanFlag.
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