Guidelines on the Proper Display of the Philippine National Flag

May 4, 1998 REVENUE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 18-98 SUBJECT : Guidelines on the Proper Display of the Philippine National Flag TO : All Revenue Officials and Employees and Others Concerned For the information and guidance of all revenue officials and employees, quoted hereunder is Memorandum dated April 13, 1998 of the Central Administration Office of the Department of Finance on the above subject: "Reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the Philippine National Flag , the foremost symbol of our nation's identity, independence and integrity. The national flag shall occupy the highest place of honor and prominence in the celebration of the Centennial of Philippine Independence . prcd Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines , signed into law by President Ramos last 12 February 1998, provides for, among others, the basic rules and guidelines on the proper way of displaying and hoisting the Philippine Flag. 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. If on a stage or platform or government office, the flag shall be at the left (facing the stage) or the left of the office upon entering. 4. When the Philippine flag is flown or displayed with another flag: a. 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. LLjur b. 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. c. The Philippine flag shall be on the right of the other flag. d. If there is a line of other flags, the Philippine flag shall be in the middle of the line. e. 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. 5. If the flag is displayed indoors on a flagpole, it shall be placed at the left of the observer as one enters the room. 6. The flag may be displayed: a. From the top of a flagpole, which shall be at a prominent place or commanding position in relation to the surrounding buildings. b. From a staff projecting upward from the window sill, canopy, balcony or facade of a building. c. In a suspended position from a rope extending from a building to pole erected away from the building. d. Flat against the wall vertically with the sun and stars on top. 7. The Philippine flag may displayed hanging in a vertical position across a street: a. The blue field pointing east, if the road is heading south or north. b. The blue field pointing north, if the road is heading east or west. 8. The flag shall be not be raised when the weather is inclement, but if already raised, the flag shall not be lowered. 9. The flag shall never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, flood, water or other objects. 10. The flag shall be hoisted to the top briskly and lowered ceremoniously. 11. After being lowered, the flag shall be handled and folded solemnly as part of the ceremony. 12. The flag shall be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. 13. 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. 14. It shall be prohibited: a. To mutilate, deface, defile, trample on or cast contempt or commit any act or omission casting dishonor or ridicule upon the flag or over its surface; b. To dip the flag to any person or object by way of compliment or salute; c. To use the flag: c1. As a drapery, festoon, tablecloth; c2. As covering for ceilings, walls, statues or other objects; c3. As pennant in the hood, side, back and top of motor vehicles; c4. As a staff or whip; c5. For unveiling monuments or statues; and c6. As trademarks, or for industrial, commercial or agricultural labels or designs. d. To display the flag: d1. Under any painting or picture; d2. Horizontally face-up. It shall always be hoisted aloft and be allowed to fall freely; d3. Below any platform; or d4. 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 or infomercial; j. To display the flag in front of buildings or offices occupied by aliens. Prepared by: FLAG & ANTHEM COMMITTEE PHILIPPINE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION 27 MARCH 1998 Noted by: HERALDRY & DISPLAY SECTION NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE" All revenue officials and employees are enjoined to give this circular as wide a publicity as possible. LIWAYWAY VINZONS-CHATO Commissioner