There have been numerous discussions which seem to be unending: on the draping of the flag on the casket. There seems to be a general thinking that when a public official dies, it would be automatic that the casket will be draped with the national flag. It has been observed that this notion or belief has been so ingrained in the consciousness of people that it has almost become a law. It was probably a tradition that was carried over and remained unchecked over time even despite the passage of a national governing our national symbols. Of course symbols of a country are not just important during conflicts but also during peacetime. The display and reverence afforded these symbols stir our sense of patriotism and nationhood. During the Covid-19 pandemic, our nationalism was in full display as people began extending aid to others making us once again a single society. I remember vividly sometime in 1994 when the Royal London Circus came to Baguio and with the little money we had, bought tickets to the circus performances. One part of the show was the performance of a clown wherein he was holding a life-size doll wearing the colors of our national flag and a sash with the name of our country: Philippines. During the performance, the clown stumbled several times pinning the doll. Many people reacted negatively to this and demanded that the management of the circus remove the act as it symbolizes the trampling of the Philippines by foreigners. I think it was eventually scrapped. On a more recent event, the then President Benigno Aquino Jr. visited the United States and as part of the protocol, several flags of the Philippines were hoisted on the stage where the program will be held. It caused a diplomatic embarrassment in the United States and the chief of protocol including the president had to apologize to then President Noynoy.
On the question of whether it is proper to drape the flag on the coffin of a deceased government official, the Heraldic Code of the Philippines enacted in 1997 lays down the rule. It enumerates the officials whose casket may be draped with the national flag. “Section 20. 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.” This section should guide all of us if ever doubt or a question still remains with regard to this matter. But on my part, whenever the flag is draped on the coffin of those not enumerated in this section, I no longer correct it unless someone asks. I find it disrespectful to the memory of the dead and the bereaved. The removal of the flag might even add to the sorrow of the family. In a situation like this, it would be better to just see to it that the position of the flag is correct and that it is not being disrespected and none of the prohibited acts are committed. Section 20 however says that the Local Government Units may through ordinance determine those civilians who rendered distinguished service to the nation. As to how “distinguished service to the nation” can be determined, there are no guidelines or rules with regard to this. But to be clear, absent any ordinance passed by the local government unit, the enumeration in section 20 has to be followed.
