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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regnlar Session 
SENATE 
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S.B. NO. ---.2. 782 
'15 
M~Y 25 P 6 :10 
HE('EIVEII BY:_~~ 
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR BURIAL WITH HONORS TO OVERSEAS FILIPINO 
WORKERS AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 3 AND 24 OF REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 8491, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE FLAG AND HERALDIC CODE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 2(c) of Republic Act No. 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 
1995, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022 recognizes the significant contribution of 
Filipino migrant workers to the national economy through their foreign exchange remittances. 
Overseas employment has been a constant means and variable to sustain economic growth 
and achieve national development for many years. Filipino migrant workers should be 
credited for keeping the economy afloat with their remittances. Given their immense 
contribution to the Philippine economy, Filipino migrant workers should be deemed as 
modern-day heroes of the Philippine economy who have rendered distinguished service to the 
nation. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
ES NANCY S. BINA Y 
Senator 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. NO. -Z7 8 2 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay 
·15 
MAY 25 P6:1 0 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR BURIAL WITH HONORS TO OVERSEAS FILIPINO 
WORKERS AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 3 AND 24 OF REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 8491, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE FLAG AND HERALDIC CODE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
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assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act. No. 8491, as amended, otherwise known as the 
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"An Act Prescribing the Act of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-arms and other 
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Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines" is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"Section. 3. Definition of terms. -
Whenever used in this Act, the term: 
a) "Military" shall mean all branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 
including the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and 
Penology, and the Bureau of Fire Protection; 
b) "Festoon" shall mean to hang in a curved shape between two points as a 
decoration; 
c) "Flag" shall mean the Philippine National Flag, unless stated otherwise; 
d) "Fly" shall mean the part of the flag outside the hoist or length; 
e) "Symbol" shall mean any conventional sign which reveals man's 
achievement and heroism (for orders and decorations), identification, 
authority and a sign of dignity (for coat-of-arms, logo and insignia); 
f) "Half-Mast" shall mean lowering the flag to one-half the distance between 
the top and bottom of the staff; 
g) "Hoist" shall mean the part of the flag nearest the staff or the canvass to 
which the halyard is attached; 


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h) "Inclement Weather" shall mean that a typhoon signal is raised in the 
locality; 
i) "National Anthem" shall mean the Philippine National Anthem; 
j) "Official Residences" shall mean Malacanang, and other government-
owned structures where the President resides, and other structures occupied 
by the Philippine Consulate or Embassies abroad; 
k) "Places of Frivolity" shall mean places of hilarity marked by or providing 
boisterous merriment or recreation; and 
1) "Institute" shall mean the N ationa! Historical Institute,; AND 
M) "OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER" REFERS TO A PERSON WHO IS 
TO BE ENGAGED, IS ENGAGED OR HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN A 
REMUNERATED ACTIVITY IN A STATE OF WHICH HE OR SHE IS 
NOT A CITIZEN OR ON BOARD A VESSEL NAVIGATING THE 
FOREIGN SEAS OTHER THAN A GOVERNMENT SHIP USED FOR 
MILITARY 
OR NON-COMMERCIAL 
PURPOSES 
OR ON 
AN 
INSTALLATION LOCATED OFFSHORE OR ON THE HIGH SEAS; TO 
BE USED INTERCHANGEABLY WITH MIGRANT WORKER." 
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SECTION 2. Section 24 of Republic Act. No. 8491 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"Section. 24. The flag may be used to cover the caskets of the honored dead of 
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the military, veterans of previous wars, national artists, OVERSEAS 
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FILIPINO WORKERS, and of civilians who have rendered distinguished 
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service to the nation, as may be determined by the local government unit 
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concerned. In such cases, the flag shall be placed such that the white triangle 
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shall be at the head and the blue portion shall cover the right side of the 
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caskets. The flag shall not be lowered to the grave or allowed to touch the 
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ground, but shall be folded solemnly and handed over to the heirs of the 
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deceased. " 
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SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules 
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and regulations and other issuance of parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this 
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Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved,