CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines – Pampanga third district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. has filed a bill in the House of Representatives seeking to honor public school teachers in time of death.
Under House Bill 5776, Gonzales seeks to amend Section 23 of Republic Act 8491, otherwise known as the Heraldic Code of the Philippines, to allow the flag to be flown half-mast at the school and education district office as a sign of mourning on the day of the official death of a public school teacher.
“This is not only fitting but also shows our country’s respect and admiration for public school teachers who dedicate their lives in the service of education,” said Gonzales, the House assistant majority floor leader.
Under the Code, only select high government officials, among them the President and Vice President, are given the honor of having the flag flown at half-mast at the time of their death.