Our flag rules

MORE than a century ago, it was a crime to display our flag because the Philippine Commission passed Act No. 1696 in 1907. The commission, whose members were appointed by the US president, was the governing body of the Philippine colony, and it had executive and legislative powers. In 1907, when the Philippine Bicameral Congress was established, the Philippine Commission became the Upper House. During elections held for members of the Lower House, Filipinos brandished the Philippine flag instead of the American one; consequently, Act No. 1696 forbade the display of our flag as well as other emblems and devices including banners of the Katipunan.

Now we are luckier, we can display our flag openly. Unfortunately, most of us do not know how to give our flag the proper respect. As most lawmakers are wont to say, we have a law for that, and it is Republic Act 8491, entitled "An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms, and other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines" and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.