WITH the June 12 Independence Day celebration Sunday, many flags will be hoisted all over town. I was driving down Lacson Street in Bacolod City when I saw a flag hanging with the red field on the right which connotes that we are at war.
For starters, let’s state foremost the importance of our flag. The Philippine flag is the ultimate symbol of our nation’s identity, independence, and integrity. Reverence and respect shall, at all times, be accorded to our flag, which embody our national ideals and traditions and express our principles of sovereignty and national solidarity.
The flag shall be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. It is raised at the start of official office hours and shall remain throughout the day.
The flag shall be displayed in all public buildings, official residences, public plazas, and institutions of learning every day throughout the year.
There are places where it shall be permanently hoisted such as Malacañang Palace, Congress of the Philippines building, Supreme Court building, Rizal Monument, Aguinaldo Shrine, Barasoain Shrine, Libingan ng mga Bayani, Musoleo de los Beteranos dela Revolucion, all international ports of entry, and all other places as designated.
The flag shall be properly illuminated at night. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, flood, water, or other objects.
After being lowered, the flag shall be handled and folded solemnly as part of the ceremony. When we were in our primary and high school years, we experienced this.
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; 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.
If planted on the ground, the flagpole shall be at a prominent place and shall be of such height as would give the flag commanding position in relation to the buildings in the vicinity.
If attached to a building, the flagpole shall be on top of its roof or anchored on a sill projecting at an angle upward.
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.
When displayed with another flag, the Philippine flag shall be on the right of the other flag. If there is a line of other flags, the Philippine flag shall be in the middle of the line.
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.
The flag shall be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on all the buildings and places where it is displayed on the day of official announcement of the death of any of the following officials:
The president or a former president, for 10 days;
The vice president, the chief justice, the president of the senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives for seven days, and other persons to be determined by the institute, for any period less than seven days.
The flag when flown at half-mast shall be first hoisted to the peak for a moment then lowered to the half-mast position. The flag shall again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
The 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.
In such cases, the flag shall be placed such that the white triangle shall be at the head and the blue portion shall cover the right side of the caskets. The flag shall not be lowered to the grave or allowed to touch the ground, but shall be folded solemnly and handed over to the heirs of the deceased.
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.
There are prohibitions in connection with the flag: Any act or omission casting dishonor or ridicule upon the flag or over its surface; to dip the flag to any person or object by way of compliment or salute.
It is also a no-no 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.
We see a lot of these prohibited acts done. Also, it is forbidden to wear the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform; to add any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawings, advertisement, or imprint of any nature on the flag; to print, paint or attach representation of the flag on handkerchiefs, napkins, cushions, and other articles of merchandise; to display in public any foreign flag, except in embassies and other diplomatic establishments, and in offices of international organizations; to use, display or be part of any advertisement or infomercial.
The Philippine flag is the symbol of our country. We should revere it at all times.
Perhaps if you see that flag down Lacson Street with the red field hanging on the right (left to the observer), kindly inform the owner of the establishment that we are in times of peace and not war.
Happy Independence Day to all!