Raise the flag

Egay Uy .

REPUBLIC Act 8194 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines prescribes how the Philippine Flag should be raised, hoisted, flown and lowered.

According to this law, the flag shall be hoisted to the top briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

Section 21 of the law prescribes that “at the first note, the flag shall be raised briskly” – actively, quickly, and energetically.

A common error in raising the flag is that flag raisers slowly raise the flag as if timed so that it reaches its highest point at the end of the last note of the national anthem.

The reverse is however true when the flag is lowered.  Section 22 of the law provides that “during flag lowering, the flag shall be lowered solemnly and slowly so that the flag shall be down the mast at the sound of the last note of the anthem.”

Hosts of flag raising ceremonies must read or get themselves acquainted with the law not only because it contains penal provisions but also to be able to properly handle the flag at flag raising and lowering ceremonies.

There are also acts that are prohibited when handling the flag, as contained in Section 34 of the law.  Among the many prohibitions are mutilating the flag, wearing it as costume, to use it as drapery or whip, as trademark or commercial design.

The flag cannot be displayed under a painting or picture, or in disco joints, cockpits, night clubs, casinos, gambling joints or other places of vice or where frivolity prevails.

Note should also be taken of the penal clause which provides for a fine of not less than five thousand nor more than twenty thousand, or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both.

It also penalizes by public censure, which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation, any failure or refusal to observe its provisions, and any violation of the rules and regulations issued by the Office of the President.

So there you are. Just raise the flag properly.

(Egay Uy is co-chair of the City Price Coordinating Council, chair of the Regulatory and Complaint Board, and chair of the Joint Inspection Team of Cagayan de Oro.)