Proper Display of the Philippine National Flag

If flown from a flagpole...

blue field on top (in time of peace)

red field on top (in time of war)

If in a hanging position...

the blue field shall be to the left [observer's point of view] (in time of peace)

the red field to the left [observer's point of view] (in time of war)

The National flag shall be displayed in all public buildings, official residences, public plazas, and institutions of everyday learning throughout the year.

It shall be permanently hoisted, day and night, throughout the year, in front of the following:

- Malacañang Palace;

- Congress of the Philippines building;

- Supreme Court building;

- Rizal Monument in Luneta;

- Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City;

- Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit;

- Barasoain Church Historical Landmark in Malolos City;

- Marcela Agoncillo Historical Landmark in Taal;

- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;

- Libingan ng mga Bayani in Makati City;

- Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion in N.Cemetery;

- and all International Ports of entry.

*The National Flag of these sites shall be properly illuminated at night.

If planted on the ground, the flagpole shall be at a prominent place and shall be of such height as would give the National Flag commanding position in relation to the buildings in the vicinity. The flagpole must not be of equal height or higher than the Independence Flagpole at the Rizal Park, Manila (107ft).

When the National Flag is flown with flag or flags of other countries, the flags must be of equal size and on separate staffs of the same height. The National Flag shall be hoisted first and lowered last.

When displayed in a row of house flags, the National Flag shall be in front of the center of the line or on the left (observer's point of view) of the row. The house flags should be arranged in alphabetical order, by precedence or by protocol order from left to right (the observer's point of view).

When displayed in a row or in a parade with flags of other countries, the National Flag shall be on the left (observer's point of view) of the other flags. The flags of other countries should be arranged in alphabetical order from left to right.

When in a parade with house flags, the National Flag shall be in front of the center of the first line. The house flags should be arranged in alphabetical order, by precedence or by protocol order from left to right (the observer's point of view).

When displayed in a semi-circle of flags with other countries or house flags, the National Flag should be at the center.

When displayed in a circle of flags with other countries or house flags, the National Flag should be flown on the flagpole facing the main road (point of reference- Kilometer 0, Rizal Park, Manila); or in front of a monument; or the main entrance of the building.

If the National Flag is displayed indoors on a flagpole, it shall be placed at the left of the observer as one enters the room or flat against the wall;

From the top of a flagpole, which shall be at a prominent place or a commanding position in relation to the surrounding buildings.

In a suspended position from a rope extending from a building to a pole erected away from the building;

Flat against the wall vertically with the sun and stars on top;

Hanging vertically in the middle of a two-way traffic road, the blue field should be pointing east, if the road is heading south or north and if the road is heading east or west the blue field should be pointing north; and

Hanging vertically at the sides or middle of the one-way traffic road, the blue field should be at the left of the observer.

The National Flag shall be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on all the buildings and places where it is displayed, as provided, on the day of the official announcement of the death of any of the following officials:

- The President or a former President, for ten (10) days;

- The Vice-President, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, for seven (7) days;

- Cabinet Secretaries, Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of the Senate and House of Representatives, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Director-General of the Philippine National Police, or equivalent in rank, for five (5) days;

- Heads of National Government Agencies, including Government Owned and Controlled Corporations and Government Financial Institutions, or equivalent in rank, for three (3) days;

- The Commanding Generals of the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Army and the Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, or equivalent in rank, for three (3) days;

- Governors, Vice-Governors, city and municipal Mayors, city and municipal Vice-Mayors, for three (3) days;

- Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panglungsod and Sangguniang Bayan, on the day of interment;

- Veterans of the previous wars, Barangay Chairmen and the Barangay Councilmen, on the day of interment;

- Former National or Local Government Officials, appointed or elected, other than those specified above, on the day of interment, within their former respective territorial jurisdictions and by resolution of their respective Sanggunians;

- Regional Directors, Superintendents, Supervisors, Principals, Teachers and other school officials, on the day of interment and by order of the proper school authorities concerned;

- Recipients of medals, national orders and decorations, on the day of interment and by order of the President or the Congress; and,

- Other persons to be determined by the Institute, for a period of less than seven (7) days.

The National Flag, when flown at half-mast, shall be first hoisted to the peak for a moment then lowered to the half-mast position. The National Flag shall again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.

The National Flag shall also be flown at half-mast during the death anniversary of heroes and heroines, calamities or grave adversity of national or international solemnity as ordered by the Office of the President, as may be recommended by the Institute.

The National Flag shall be permanently hoisted at half-mast day and night throughout the year and in all memorial cemeteries dedicated to war veterans. The National Flag of these declared sites shall be properly illuminated at night.

- Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion, North Cemetery, Manila

- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Libingan ng mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Metro Manila

The National 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.