NHCP calls shoe brand out for using Philippine flag on sneakers

MANILA, Philippines – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines called out an online store named Love the World for selling what appears to be a shoe that extensively uses elements and the image of the Philippine flag.

In a statement on their Facebook page Wednesday, July 18, the NHCP said: “Huwag tatangkilikin ang produktong ito dahil nilalabag nito ang Batas Pambansa blg. 8491 o ang ‘Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines’ na nagbabawal sa pagamit sa mga elemeto ng watatwat sa mga produktong komersyal.”

(Do not buy these products because it violates Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which does not allow the use of the elements of the flag for commercial products.)

The red, blue, yellow and white sneaker doesn’t only use elements of the flag. The shoe tongue is practically a replica of the flag. 

Rappler has reached out to the website but it has yet to respond. 

Under Section 34 Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, people are not allowed to do the following: 

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.

 – Rappler.com