SECTION 50. Any person or judicial entity which violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (5,000.00) not more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00), or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court: Provided, That for any second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment shall always be imposed: Provided, That in case the violation is commited by a juridical person, its President or Chief Executive Officer thereof shall be liable.
We might be proud for the freedom of expression to even burn the flag US flag (but not really to burn the Koran).
For clear thinking, it is interesting to remember that love and respect for National heritage, flag, and anthem are alive in other democratic and free countries.
Compare to US and European excesses of disrespect and outright hostility for the nation and its symbols
- US athletes to publicly demonstrate for Black Lives Matter, Antifa, kneel and walk out during the national anthem
- violent attacks on people who carry the flag, put it in their yard, and
- sending students home for wearing flag T shirts on the National holiday (in order not to offend Mexicans), or
- German chancellor Merkel disposing of the German flag with a disgusted face
Total disrespect for one’s nation and its traditions might spell the end of such nation, and its freedom of expression.
Republic Act No. 8491
Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1998/02/12/republic-act-no-8491/
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy – Reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the anthem and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity. The heraldic items and devices shall seek to manifest the national virtues and to inculcate in the minds and hearts of our people a just pride in their native land, fitting respect and affection for the national flag and anthem, and the proper use of the national motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items and devices. […]
F. Pledge to the Flag
SECTION 25. The following shall be the Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag:
Ako ay Filipino […]
Such pledge shall be recited while standing with the right hand palm open raised shoulder high. Individuals whose faith or religious beliefs prohibit them from making such pledge must nonetheless show full respect when the pledge is being rendered by standing at attention.
SECTION 34. It shall be prohibited
A. To mutilate, deface, defile, trample, on or cast contempt any act or omission casting dishonor or ridicule upon the flag over its surface;
B. To dip the flag to any person or object by way of compliment or salute;
C. To use the flag:
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- 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.
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D. Display the flag:
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- Under any painting or picture;
- Horizontally face-up. It shall always be hoisted aloft and be allowed to fall freely;
- Below any platform; or
- In discotheques, cockpits, night and day clubs, casinos, gambling joints and places of vice or where frivolity prevails.
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E. To wear the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform;
F. To add any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawings, advertisements, or imprint of any nature on the flag;
G. To print, paint or attach representation of the flag on handkerchiefs, napkins, cushions, and other articles of merchandise;
H. To display in public any foreign flag, except in embassies and other diplomatic establishments, and in offices of international organizations.
I. To use, display or be part of any advertisement of infomercial; and
J. To display the flag in front of buildings or offices occupied by aliens. […]
SECTION 38. When the National Anthem is played at a public gathering, whether by a band or by singing or both, or reproduced by any means, the attending public shall sing the anthem. The singing must be done with fervor.
As a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or the conductor. At the first note, all persons shall execute a salute by placing their right palms over their left chests. Those in military, scouting, citizen’s military training and security guard uniforms shall give the salute prescribed by their regulations. The salute shall be completed upon the last note of the anthem.
The anthem shall not be played and sung for mere recreation, amusement or entertainment purposes except on the following occasions: […]
CHAPTER VII
PENALTIES
SECTION 48. Failure or refusal to observe the provisions of this Act; and any violation of the corresponding rules and regulations issued by the Office of the President shall, after proper notice and hearing, be penalized by public censure which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation.
The Department of Education, Culture and Sports and the Commission on Higher Education, upon the recommendation of the Institute and after the proper notice and hearing, shall cause the cancellation of the recognition of permit of any private educational institution which fails or refuses to observe the provisions of this Act for the second time.
SECTION 49. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) and the Commission on Higher Education shall ensure that the National Anthem, as adopted by law, shall be committed to memory by all students of both public and private educational institutions, and performed during the flag ceremony conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations issued by the Office of the President. In addition, they shall make available the vocal, piano or band scores of the National Anthem, as adopted by law, to all private and public schools, as well as he general public.
SECTION 50. Any person or judicial entity which violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos (5,000.00) not more than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00), or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court: Provided, That for any second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment shall always be imposed: Provided, That in case the violation is commited by a juridical person, its President or Chief Executive Officer thereof shall be liable.
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1998/02/12/republic-act-no-8491/
