Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines - Salient Feature of RA No. 8491 of 2002
Philippine Flag our national flag is the symbol of our country. It shows our unity as a people. It stands for our high ideals and noble heritage. It is said to be the primary symbol of the nation’s camaraderie, sovereignty, solidarity and unity
History - the national flag of the Philippine is a horizontalbicolor with equal bands of blue and red, and white equilateral triangle based at the hoist side, at the center of the triangle is a golden yellow sun with eightprimary rays
the eight rays represent the first eight provinces (Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna, Batangas, and Cavite) that revolt and fought for independence from the Spanish
rule.
the flag was conceptualized by Emilio Aguinaldo.
the first flag was sewn in Hongkong by Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Dona Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, niece of Jose Rizal
Flag Construction
flag’s length is twice its width, which translate into an aspect ratio of 1:2.
Half-mast - flag may be flown at half-mast as a sign or mourning. The flag should be flown at half-mast for seven (7) days following the death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice, the president of the Senate or the speaker of the House of the Representatives.
Prohibited Acts - In Section 34 of RA 8491, the flag cannot be used in the following rationales:
1. Defacing or ridiculing the flag by dipping the flag as a salute, or adding additional marks on the flag;
2. As a drapery, festoon, tablecloth, a covering, or as part of a costume or a uniform;
3. As a trademark or for commercial or agricultural labels or designs;
4. As part of merchandise or in any advertisement or infomercial; and
5. As a pennant in the hood, side, back and top of motor vehicles