MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay led yesterday the celebration of National Flag Day in Barangay Alapan I-B, Imus, Cavite, in preparation for the celebration of the 113th Independence Day on June 12.
Binay was joined by National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chair Maria Serena Diokno, Rep. Salvador Escudero III, Cavite Gov. Juanito Victor Remulla, Imus Mayor Homer Saquilayan, Vice Mayor Armando Ilano, Rev. Fr. Paul de Leon of the Diocese of Imus, Department of Education-Cavite division superintendent Yolanda Carpina and Cavite Historical Society president and grandson of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Cesar E.A. Virata.
Flag Day was first celebrated on March 6, 1965 during the term of former President Diosdado Macapagal by virtue of Proclamation No. 374 designating May 28 as flag day.
The Philippine flag was first displayed in battle on May 28, 1898 and was formally unfurled during the proclamation of Philippine independence on June 12, 1898.
Meantime, Republic Act No. 8491, also known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, marked May 28 as the beginning of flag days until June 12.
Annually during this period, government agencies, offices, business establishments, schools as well as homes are to display the Philippine flag as a reminder of the coat of arms binding the nation as a collective unit.