The Claim: Robredo’s picture with PH seal of the president is illegal
Rating: PARTLY FALSE
This post, shared with us through our tipline, says that VP Robredo’s picture with the Philippine Seal of the President is an illegal act, and derides Robredo as someone who should know better as she is a lawyer.
This is Partly False.
The executive order in question, EO no. 141, Series of 1999, prohibits the use of the Seal in commercial products such as stickers, stamps, business cards, passes, car plates, clothing, tokens, souvenirs and stationeries (https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/…/executive-order…/).
It also prohibits “unauthorized manufacture, sale and distribution” of the seal, as well as forgeries or fraudulent alterations of the seal.
Robredo’s picture does not fall among the prohibitions on use of the seal.
Another executive order, EO no. 310, Series of 2004, also prescribes valid uses for the seal, but only prohibits manufacture, reproduction, sale, purchase and use for commercial purposes
(https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/…/executive-order…/). It also allows the seal to be used by the President or the Vice President of the Philippines for non-commercial uses.
Commercial use is only allowed under the EO for specific educational or news use cases. Robredo was not selling her portrait, only signing it.
But the post does have some truth in it — Robredo is indeed a lawyer.
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