RA 8491 refers to "An act prescribing the

code of the national Flag, Anthem, Motto

Coat-of-Arms and any other heraldic
items and devices of the Philippines". It
was enacted by the Tenth Congress of the
Philippines on its third regular session.
This act is to be known as the "Flag and
Heraldic Code of the Philippines
The act declares that "reverence
and respect shall at all times
accorded to the flag, the anthem,
and all 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 any other
heraldic items and devices." (Section 2)
DEFINITION OF TERMS. These are the terminologies used in these rules:
1. Military – means all the 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;
2. Festoon – to hang in a curved shape between two points as a
decoration;
3. Flag – shall mean the Philippine National Flag, unless stated
otherwise;
4. Fly – is the part of the flag outside the hoist or length;.
5. Symbol – any conventional sign that reveals man’s achievement
and heroism, identification, authority and a sign of dignity;
6. Half-Mast – shall mean lowering the flag to one-half the distance
between the top and bottom of the staff;
7. Hoist – shall mean the part of the flag nearest to the staff or
the canvas to which the halyard is attached;
8. Inclement Weather – shall mean that a typhoon signal is
raised in the locality;
9. National Anthem – shall mean the Philippine National
Anthem;
10. Official residencies – shall mean Malacañang and any other
government-owned structures where the president resides,
and any other structures occupied by the Philippine Consulate
or Embassies abroad;
11. Places of Frivolity – shall mean places of hilarity marked by
or providing boisterous merriment or recreation; and
12. Institute – shall mean the National Historical Institute
The
Philippine
Flag
 The sun represents Independence and its eight
provinces that led the Philippine uprising against
Spanish rule: Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga,
Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna and Batangas

The three stars represents the three min

geographical regions of the Philippines, Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao
 The white stands for peace and
purity. The white triangle represents
Equality and the Katipunan

The red represents valour and

bloodspilt for freedom and
independence.
The blue symbolizes the patriotism
and justice.
 Understanding Our National Flag
The flag is a symbol of a country. There are
certain things that you should remember
when it comes to how the people of the
Philippines use the flag.
The flag shall be displayed in all public
buildings, official residencies, public plazas,
and institutions of learning every day
throughout the year.
The flag shall be permanently hoisted, day and night
throughout the year, in front of the following:
• Malacañang 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 ng mga Bayani
• Mausoleo de los Veteranos dela Revolucion
• All the International Ports of Entry and all other
places as maybe designated by the institutec
The flag shall be properly illuminated a night.
The flag shall also be displayed in private buildings and
residences or raised in the open on flagstaffs 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);
• and 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 flagstaffs 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.
Where can our Philippine flag be displayed?

1. Inside or outside a building or a stationary flagpole. If the flag is displayed

indoors on a flagpole, it shall be placed at the left of the observer as one
enters the room
2. From the top of a flagpole, this shall at a prominent or a commanding
position in a relation to the surrounding buildings

3. Form a staff projecting upward from the windows sill, canopy, balcony or
façade or a building

4. In a suspended position from a rope extending from a building to pole

erected away from the building
5. Flat against the wall vertically with the sun and stars on top
6. 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 in
heading from east or west. The flag shall not be raised when the weather is
inclement. If already raised, the flag shall not be lowered
When is the flag flown at half-mast?
The flag shall be flown at half-mask as a sign of
mourning in all buildings and places where it is
displayed, as provided for in this Act, on the day
of official announcement of death of any of the
following officials:
1. The President or a former President, for ten days)
2. The Vice-President, the Chief Justice, the President of the
Senate, and the speaker of the House of Representatives,
for seven days, and
3. Other persons to be determined by the Institute, for any
period less than seven 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 hoisted
to the peak for a moment then lowered to the
half-mast position. The flag shall again be raised
briskly to the peak it is lowered for the day.
What is our pledge of allegiance to the Philippine flag?
Such pledge shall be recited while standing
will 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
What are the prohibited
acts in the flag code?
1.To mutilate, deface,
defile, trample on, or cast
contempt, any act,
oromission casting
dishonor or ridicule upon
the flag over its surface;
2.To dip the flag to any
person or object by way of
compliment or salute
3. To use the flag
a. As a drapery, festoon, tablecloth;
b. As covering for ceilings, walls, statues, or other objects;
c. As a pennant in the hood, side, back, and top of motor vehicles:
d. As a staff or whip;
e. For unveiling monuments or statues; and
f. As trademarks or tor industrial, commercial, or agricultural labels or designs.
4. Display the flag
a. Under any painting or picture;
b. Horizontally face-up. It shall always be hoisted aloft and be allowed to fall
freely;
Below any platform; or
d. In discotheques, cockpits, night and day clubs, casinos, gambling Joints, and
places of vice or where frivolity prevails.
1. To wear the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform;
a. To add any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing
advertisements, or imprint of any nature on the flag
b. b. To print, paint, or attach representation of the flag on
handkerchiefs napkins, cushions, and other articles of
merchandise;
c. To display in public any foreign flag, except in embassies and
other diplomatic establishments, and in offices of international
organizations;
d. To use, display, or be part of any advertisement of infomercial
and
e. To display the flag in front of buildings or offices occupied
aliens.
 What is our National Anthem?

The National Anthem, known as "Lupang Hinirang," shall always be sungn the
national language within or without the country. The following shall bethe lyrics of
the National Anthem.

Bayang Magiliw Perlas ng Silanganan

Alab ng puso Sa Dibdib moy bulhay
Lupang Hinirang, Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig Di ka pasisiil
Sa dagat at bundok,
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw,
May dilag ang tula
At awit sa paglayang mnamahal.
Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y Tagumpay na nagniningning,
Ang bituin at araw niya, Kailan pa may di magdidilım
Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati’t pagsinta,
Buhay ay langit sa pilng mo;
Aming ligaya napag may mang-aapi,
Ang mamatay nang dahil sa sayo.
The rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung,
shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and
composition of Julian Felipe. 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 one, 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:
1.International competitions where the Philippines is
the host or has a representative
2.Local competitions
3.During “signing off” and “signing on” of radio
broadcasting and television stations
4.Before the initial and last screening of films or before
the opening of theatre performances
5.Other occasions as maybe allowed by the institute
Together with all the
information about the
Philippine flag and national
anthem, you must not also
forgetthe National Motto
shall be “MAKA-DIYOS,
MAKA-TAO,
MAAKAKALIKASA AT
MAKABANSA.” None that
there are also the Core values
of the National Service
Training Program or NSTP.