1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives PAOLO Z. DUTERTE, ERIC G. YAP and 
EDVIC G. YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State recognizes the Philippine flag as a national symbol which embodies the 
national ideals and traditions and exemplifies the principles of sovereignty and 
national solidarity. Republic Act. No. 8491 or the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the 
Philippines” is enacted to manifest the reverence and respect that shall be accorded to 
the flag, the anthem, and other national symbols.  
Among the pertinent provisions of Republic Act. No. 8491 is Section 24 which 
provides the ways of honoring those who have died for the country and those who 
have rendered distinguished service, through the covering or draping of the 
Philippine flag in their caskets. However, the coverage of the privilege stated in the 
said section is only limited to former military and war veterans and to civilians who 
have rendered distinguished service to the nation, as may be determined by the local 
government unit concerned—allowing for a wider discretion to the LGUs.  
Hence, to show honor and appreciation to a great number of Filipinos who have 
shown nationalism, patriotism, and dedication in the field of sports, social, civic, and 
public services but were not among those enumerated in the said provision, this Act 
seeks to broaden or expand the enumeration provided under Sec. 24 of the Flag and 
Heraldic Code of the Philippines, while distinguishing who are mandatorily or 
discretionarily entitled to the said privilege. Most importantly, the said provision also 
limited such entitlement to those who are not guilty of any crimes involving moral 
turpitude.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is immediately sought. 
PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
       ERIC G. YAP 
EDVIC G. YAP         
July 6, 2023
2:08 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives PAOLO Z. DUTERTE, ERIC G. YAP, and 
EDVIC G. YAP 
AN ACT  
AMENDING SECTION 24 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE FLAG AND HERALDIC CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 24, Chapter I (E), of Republic Act No. 8491 is hereby 
amended to read as follows: 
[Section 24. 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]. 
SECTION 24. THE FLAG MAY BE USED TO COVER THE CASKETS OF 
THOSE WHO HAVE RENDERED DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE NATION 
AND HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY CRIMES INVOLVING MORAL 
TURPITUDE. THIS PRIVILEGE SHALL BE DISCRETIONARY TO THE FAMILY 
OF 
THE 
DECEASED 
IN 
COODRINATION 
WITH 
THE 
NATIONAL 
HISTORICAL COMMISSION (NHC) AND NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR 
THE CULTURE AND ARTS (NCCA).  
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. AT THE INTERMENT, 
THE FLAG SHALL NOT BE LOWERED TO THE GRAVE OR ALLOWED TO 
TOUCH THE GROUND, BUT SHALL NOT BE FOLDED SOLEMNLY, PLACED 
IN A RECTANGULAR FLAG CASE, AND HANDED OVER TO THE HEIRS OF 
THE DECEASED IN THE APPROPRIATE AREA OF THEIR RESIDENCE, OR 
FORMER OFFICE OF THE HONORED DEAD. 
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(a) THE FLAG, AS COVER TO THE CASKET, SHALL BE MANDATORY FOR 
THE FOLLOWING: 
i. INCUMBENT AND PAST PRESIDENTS AND VICE PRESIDENTS OF 
THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES; 
ii. INCUMBENT 
MEMBERS 
OF 
THE 
SENATE, 
HOUSE 
OF 
REPRESENTATIVES, AND CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES; 
iii. INCUMBENT JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT, COURT OF 
APPEALS, SANDIGANBAYAN, AND THE COURT OF TAX APPEALS; 
iv. INCUMBENT CABINET MEMBERS OR OFFICERS OF SIMILAR OR 
EQUIVALENT RANK; 
v. INCUMBENT MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS; 
vi. INCUMBENT GOVERNORS, VICE GOVERNORS, MEMBERS OF THE 
PROVINCIAL BOARD, MAYORS, VICE MAYORS, AND MEMBERS OF 
THE MUNICIPAL OR CITY BOARD; 
vii. INCUMBENT BARANGAY CHAIRPERSONS AND SANGGUNIANG 
KABATAAN CHAIRPERSONS; 
viii. NATIONAL SCIENTISTS OR PAMBANSANG ALAGAD NG AGHAM 
NG PILIPINAS AS DEFINED UNDER PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1003-
A (DATED DECEMBER 16, 1976); 
ix. WAR VETERANS; 
x. MILITARY VETERANS; 
xi. NATIONAL ARTISTS AND RECIPIENTS OF OTHER AWARDS BEING 
IMPLEMENTED 
AND 
ADMINISTERED 
BY 
THE 
NATIONAL 
COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS, SUCH AS, BUT NOT 
LIMITED TO, RECIPIENTS OF GAWAD MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN AND 
PHILIPPINE HERITAGE AWARD AS PROVIDED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 7355; 
xii. MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE 
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE WHO ARE ON ACTIVE DUTY; 
xiii. INCUMBENT CAREER EXECUTIVE OFFICIALS; AND 
xiv. ATHLETES WHO HAVE WON IN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS 
COMPETITIONS. 


 
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(b) THE FLAG, AS COVER TO THE CASKET, SHALL BE DISCRETIONARY 
FOR THE FOLLOWING: 
i. FORMER MEMBERS OF THE SENATE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 
AND CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES; 
ii. RETIRED JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT, COURT OF APPEALS, 
SANDIGANBAYAN, AND THE COURT OF TAX APPEALS; 
iii. INCUMBENT AND RETIRED JUDGES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL 
COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL 
COURTS, AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS; 
iv. FORMER GOVERNORS, VICE GOVERNORS, MEMBERS OF THE 
PROVINCIAL BOARD, MAYORS, VICE MAYORS, AND MEMBERS OF 
THE MUNICIPAL OR CITY BOARD; 
v. RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS, OR FORMER 
AMBASSADORS OR CONSUL GENERALS; 
vi. FORMER CABINET MEMBERS OR OFFICERS OF SIMILAR OR 
EQUIVALENT RANK; 
vii. RETIRED CAREER EXECUTIVE OFFICIALS; 
viii. FORMER BARANGAY CHAIRPERSONS AND SANGGUNIANG 
KABATAAN CHAIRPERSONS; 
ix. INCUMBENT OR FORMER PRESIDENTS OF STATE UNIVERSITIES 
AND COLLEGES; 
x. TEACHERS AND PROFESSORS, WHETHER ACTIVE OR RETIRED, IN 
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZED PRIVATE 
SCHOOLS 
xi. BONA FIDE MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA, AS CERTIFIED BY THE 
LEGITIMATE MEDIA ORGANIZATION TO WHICH THE MEDIA 
PRACTITIONER IS A MEMBER; 
xii. ATHLETES 
WHO 
REPRESENTED 
THE 
COUNTRY 
IN 
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS; 
xiii. FILIPINOS, WHETHER RESIDING IN THE COUNTRY OR ABROAD, 
WHO HAVE RECEIVED AWARDS AND/OR RECOGNITIONS FROM 
INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AWARD GIVING BODIES FOR 
THEIR COMMENDABLE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OR TO THEIR 
CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY; AND 


 
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xiv. CIVILIANS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES WHILE GIVING AID OR 
ASSISTANCE IN TIMES OF CALAMITY, NATIONAL EMERGENCY, OR 
TO PERSON'S IN SERIOUS NEED. 
THE FLAG TO BE USED AS COVER FOR THE CASKET, AS WELL AS THE 
RECTANGULAR FLAG CASE OF THOSE HONORED DEAD UNDER 
PARAGRAPH (A), SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE 
TO WHICH THE DECEDENT HAD PREVIOUSLY SERVED. THOSE 
UNDER PARAGRAPH (B) SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE FAMILY OF THE 
DECEDENT. 
SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from 
the approval of this Act, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and 
the National Commission for Culture and the Arts shall formulate the implementing 
rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders and issuances, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof that are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,