(CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF THE SERVICE)

INTRODUCTION
The PNP adopts the generally acceptable customs
and traditions based on the desirable practices of the
police service. These shall serve to inspire PNP
members as the organization endeavors to attain its
goals and objectives.
Definition of Terms:
1.
Customs - Established usage or social
practices carried on by tradition that have obtained
the force of law.
2.
Traditions Bodies of beliefs, stories,
customs and usages handed down from generation to
generation with the effect of an unwritten law.
3. Courtesy A manifestation of expression of
consideration and respect for others.
4. Ceremony A formal act or set of formal acts
established
by customs or authority as proper to
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special occasion.
5.
Social Decorum A set of norms and
standards practiced by members during social
activities and other functions.
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HONOR SYSTEM
This is a set of rules or ethical principles governing an academic
community based on ideals that constitute honor within a
community.
The use of an honor code depends on the notion that people can
be trusted to act honorably. Those who are in violation of the honor
code can be subject to various sanctions including expulsion from
the institution. Honor code is used to deter academic dishonesty.
In November 12, 1840 when Professor John Davis was shot to
death in an attempt to quell a disturbance in the lawn of the
University of Virginias Davis was able to identify the assailant
stating that an honorable man would step forward on his own. On
July 4, 1842 a LAW FROFESSOR Henry St. George Turker Sr.
Replaced Davis as he proposed that students sign an
examination from stated as, do here by certified on my honor the I
have the derived no assistance during the time, and definition of
what constitute an honor offense has evolved as well.
The development of character is one of the crucial aspects in the
training of a cadet. It is a fundamental objective which the
Philippine Military Academy strives to achieve through the Honor
Code and the Honor System. This system is a unique system
which is administered by the cadets themselves. Through the
Honor System, the cadet binds himself to the Code which states
that:
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"WE, THE CADETS, DO NOT LIE,

CHEAT, STEAL, NOR TOLERATE
AMONG US THOSE WHO DO SO."

The spirit of the Honor System is based on two basic

questions:
A Cadet does not lie. He always tells the truth
regardless of the consequences. He does not
quibble or make evasive statements.
A cadet does not cheat. He does not defraud
others nor does he take undue advantage of them.
Whatever credit he earns in any cadet activity is
wholly his own.
A cadet does not steal. He does not take the
personal property of another without the latters
consent. He does not keep for himself anything that
he finds which does not belong to him.
A cadet does not do any of these things and he
does not tolerate any violations of the Code. He
is bound to report any breach of the code that comes
to his attention. He does not countenance by inaction
any honor violation; if he were to, he becomes a
party to such violation and he himself is as guilty as
the original violator. The Honor System transcends
all ranks and class barriers. No cadet, regardless of
his rank and class is above the System. No violator
of the Code is granted immunity. No cadet who
violates the Code can redeem himself from the
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violation he commits.

The spirit of the Honor System is based on two

basic questions:
Do I intend to deceive?
Do I intend to take undue advantage?
If a cadet can answer "No" to both questions, he
is not guilty of any honor violation. Once caught
or reported for an honor violation, the cadet is
investigated by the Honor Committee composed
of cadets. There are twenty-five members; one
representative from the first, second, third, and
fourth classes in each of the eight companies.
The first and second class representatives are
the voting members, while the third class are the
recorders. If an honor case is to be formalized,
the Honor Court composed of eight voting
members and two recorders conduct a formal
hearing. A unanimous vote of "Guilty" is needed
to convict a cadet of an honor violation. If found
guilty, the cadet is asked to resign for the good of
the service. The proceedings of an Honor
Committee is a privilege communication and
known only to the committee and the
Superintendent.
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As the Class of 1951 would succinctly describe in

their article on the Honor Committee, one could
get a tangible picture of the impact, implication,
and relevance of the System in the Cadet Corps.
The following are exerpts which were taken from
that article:
"The Honor Code is our pride as it is our heritage;
we will hold its trust long after we have left the
gray line. We will be guided by its principles of
fearless truth regardless of consequence, a sine
qua non in our profession of arms.
"We admit that every man who enters the
Academy has been subjected to different
environments which we cannot expect to change
in a short time, but we strive to help him in his
adjustment to a new system wheel his word is
accepted as the truth. Emphasis is placed on the
fact that a rendition of a report with a knowledge
of the existence of an anomaly is dishonesty
intolerable among the group of gentlemen the
Corps endeavors to produce.
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"Our Code does not deviate from the universal

concept of Honor. It demands the truth ... nothing else,
but the truth ... both by act and implication. Each cadet
becomes a zealous guardian to this earmark of the
Corps and will report another or himself for a violation
of honor. It is in keeping this priceless legacy from our
predecessors that we seek to transmit it unblemished
to the unending gray line.
POLICE CUSTOMS ON COURTESY
The following are customs on courtesy in the PNP:
Salute Salute is the usual greetings rendered by
uniformed members upon meeting and recognizing
person entitled to a salute.
Salute to National Color and Standard Members
stand at attention and salute the national color and
standard as these pass by them or when the national
color is raised or lowered during ceremonies.
Address/Title Junior in rank address senior
members who are entitled to salute with the word Sir
or Maam. All Police Commissioned Officers shall be
addressed sir or maam by Police Non-Commissioned
Officers and Non-Uniformed Personnel.
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Courtesy Calls The following are the customs on

courtesy calls:
Courtesy Calls The following are the customs on
courtesy calls:
Courtesy Call of Newly Assigned/Appointed
Member PNP members who are newly appointed or
assigned in a unit or command call on the chief of the
unit or command and other key personnel as a matter
of courtesy, as well as for accounting, orientation and
other purposes.
Christmas Call PNP members pay a Christmas Call
on their local executives in their respective areas of
responsibility.
New Years Call PNP members pay a New Years
call on their commanders and /or key officials in their
respective areas of responsibility.
Promotion Call Newly promoted PNP members call
on their unit head.
On this occasion, they are usually given due
recognition and congratulations by their peers for
such deserved accomplishment.
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Exit Call PNP members pay an Exit Call on their

superiors in the unit or command when relieved or
reassigned out of the said unit or command.
Courtesy of the Post The host unit extend
hospitality to visiting personnel who pay respect to
the command or unit.
Rank Has Its Own Privilege (RHIP) PNP
members recognize the practice that different ranks
carry with them corresponding privileges.
As the Class of 1951 would succinctly describe in
their article on the Honor Committee, one could get
a tangible picture of the impact, implication, and
relevance of the System in the Cadet Corps. The
following are exerpts which were taken from that
article:
"The Honor Code is our pride as it is our heritage;
we will hold its trust long after we have left the gray
line. We will be guided by its principles of fearless
truth regardless of consequence, a sine qua non in
our profession of arms."
9

"We admit that every man who enters the Academy has
been subjected to different environments which we
cannot expect to change in a short time, but we strive to
help him in his adjustment to a new system wheel his
word is accepted as the truth. Emphasis is placed on
the fact that a rendition of a report with a knowledge of
the existence of an anomaly is dishonesty intolerable
among the group of gentlemen the Corps endeavors to
produce.
"Our Code does not deviate from the universal concept
of Honor. It demands the truth ... nothing else, but the
truth ... both by act and implication. Each cadet
becomes a zealous guardian to this earmark of the
Corps and will report another or himself for a violation of
honor. It is in keeping this priceless legacy from our
predecessors that we seek to transmit it unblemished to
the unending gray line.
POLICE CUSTOMS ON COURTESY
The following are customs on courtesy in the PNP:
Salute Salute is the usual greetings rendered by
uniformed members upon meeting an recognizing
person entitled to a salute.
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Salute to National Color and Standard

Members stand atttention and salute the national
color and standard as these pass by them or when
the national color is raised or lowered during
ceremonies.
Address/Title Junior in rank address senior
members who are entitled to salute with the word
Sir or Maam. All Police Commissioned Officers
shall be addressed Sir or maam by Police NonCommissioned Officers and Non-Uniformed
Personnel.
Courtesy Calls The following are the customs on
courtesy calls:
Courtesy Calls The following are the customs
on courtesy calls
Courtesy Call of Newly Assigned/Appointed
Member PNP members who are newly appointed
or assigned in a unit or command call on the chief
of the unit or command and other key personnel as
a matter of courtesy, as well as for accounting,
orientation and other purposes.
Christmas Call PNP members pay a Christmas
Call on their local executives in their respective
areas of responsibility.
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New Years Call PNP members pay a New

Years call on their commanders and /or key
officials in their respective areas of responsibility.
Promotion Call Newly promoted PNP members
call on their unit head. On this occasion, they are
usually given due recognition and congratulations
by their peers for such deserved accomplishment.
Exit Call PNP members pay an Exit Call on their
superiors in the unit or command when relieved or
reassigned out of the said unit or command.
Courtesy of the Post The host unit extend
hospitality to visiting personnel who pay respect to
the command or unit.
Rank Has Its Own Privilege (RHIP) PNP
members recognize the practice that different ranks
carry with them corresponding privileges.

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POLICE CUSTOMS ON CEREMONIES

Flag Raising Ceremony PNP members honor the flag
by hoisting and singing the National Anthem before the
start of the official days work.
Flag Lowering Ceremony At the end of the official
days work, the PNP members pause for a moment to
salute the lowering of the flag.
Half-Mast The flag is raised at half-mast in deference
to deceased uniformed members of the command.
Funeral Service and Honors Departed uniformed
members, retirees, war veterans or former PC/INP
members are given vigil, necrological services and
graveside honors as a gesture of farewell.
Ceremony Tendered to Retirees In recognition of
their long, faithful and honorable service to the PNP, a
testimonial activity shall be tendered in their honor.
Honor Ceremony Arrival and departure honor
ceremonies are rendered to visiting dignitaries, VIPs,
PNP Officers with the grade of Chief Superintendent and
above and AFP officers of equivalent grade, unless
waived.
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Turnover Ceremony The relinquishment and

assumption of command or key position is publicly
announced in a Turnover Ceremony by the
outgoing and incoming officers in the presence of
the immediate superior or his representative.
Outgoing Commander/Director should not leave
his post without proper turnover. Turn-over
includes turnover of properties/equipment, human
and material resources.
Wedding Ceremony -- During marriage of PNP
members, a ceremony is conducted with
participants in uniform and swords drawn.
Anniversary The birth or institutional
establishment of a command or unit is
commemorated in an Anniversary Ceremony.

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Manner of Walking- Every PNP Member is

expected to walk with pride and dignity.

OTHER POLICE CUSTOMS:

Visiting the Sick- Immediate commanders or
other available officers of the unit visit PNP
Members who are sick in the hospital, their
residence or any place of confinement in order
that their needs are attended to.
Survivor Assistance of Heir of Deceased
Members- A survivor officer is designated
whenever PNP members die, to render maximum
assistance to their bereaved family until all
benefits due shall have been received.
POLICE CUSTOMS ON SOCIAL DECORUM
Proper Attire PNP members always wear
appropriate and proper attire in conformity with the
occasion.
Table Manners PNP members observe table
etiquette at all times.
Social Graces PNP members conduct
themselves properly in dealing with people during
social functions.
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Uniform/Appearance The public looks upon a PNP

member as distinctively a man among men. It is a
welcome sight when PNP members wear their uniform
properly wherever they may be. Bulging stomach is a
taboo in the uniformed service. Since disciplined PNP
members are best exemplified by those who are neat in
appearance and wearing the prescribed uniform, they
must therefore observe the following:
a) Wearing of prescribed uniform.
b) Adherence to haircut prescribed by rules &
regulations.
Manner of Walking- Every PNP Member is expected
to walk with pride and dignity.

OTHER POLICE CUSTOMS:

Visiting the Sick- Immediate commanders or other

available officers of the unit visit PNP Members who are
sick in the hospital, their residence or any place of
confinement in order that their needs are attended to.

Survivor Assistance of Heir of Deceased MembersA survivor officer is designated whenever PNP members
die, to render maximum assistance to their bereaved
family until all benefits due shall have been received.
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Visiting the Religious Leaders- PNP Officers visit

religious leaders in their areas of assignment to establish
or maintain rapport and cooperation between the different
religious leaders and the PNP.
Athletics- PNP members indulged in physical fitness
activities o insure that their proper physical appearance
and bearing are smaller than the size of his chest and in
conformity with the standard set forth by the organization.
Happy Hours- Usually on Friday or any other day
suitable for the occasion, PNP members gather together
at their PNP club for a light hearted jesting or airing of
minor gripes.

OTHER POLICE CUSOMS:

Visiting the Sick- Immediate commanders or other
available officers of the unit visit PNP Members who are sick
in the hospital, their residence or any place of confinement
in order that their needs are attended to.
Survivor Assistance of Heir of Deceased Members- A
survivor officer is designated whenever PNP members die,
to render maximum assistance to their bereaved family until
all benefits due shall have been received.
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Uniform/Appearance The public looks upon a

PNP member as distinctively a man among men. It
is a welcome sight when PNP members wear their
uniform properly wherever they may be. Bulging
stomach is a taboo in the uniformed service. Since
disciplined PNP members are best exemplified by
those who are neat in appearance and wearing the
prescribed uniform, they must therefore observe
the following:
a) Wearing of prescribed uniform.
b) Adherence to haircut prescribed by rules &
regulations.
Visiting the Religious Leaders- PNP Officers visit
religious leaders in their areas of assignment to
establish or maintain rapport and cooperation
between the different religious leaders and the
PNP.
Athletics- PNP members indulge in physical
fitness activities o insure that their proper physical
appearance and bearing are smaller than the size
of his chest and in conformity with the standard set
forth by the organization.
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OTHER POLICE TRADITIONS:

The following are police traditions:
Spiritual Beliefs- PNP members are traditionally
religious and God-loving person. They attend
religious services together with the members of their
family.
Valor- History attests that the Filipino law enforcers
have exemplified the tradition of valor in defending
the country from aggression and oppression and
protecting/preserving the life and property of the
people. They sacrificed their limbs and lives for the
sake of their countrymen whom they have pledged to
serve.
Patriotism- The PNP members are traditionally
patriotic by nature. They manifest their love of
country with a pledge of allegiance to the flag and a
vow to defend the constitution.
Discipline- The discipline of the PNP members is
manifested by instinctive obedience to lawful orders
and thorough and spontaneous actions towards
attainment of organizational objectives guided by
moral, ethical and legal norms.
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Gentlemanliness-PNP members are upright in

character, gentle in manners, dignified in
appearance, and sincere in their concern to
fellowmen.
Word of Honor- PNP members word is their bond.
They stand by and commit to uphold it.
Duty- PNP members have historically exemplified
themselves as dedicated public servants who
perform their tasks with a deep sense of
responsibility and self-sacrifice. They shall readily
accept assignment anywhere in the country.
Loyalty- PNP members are traditionally loyal to the
organization, country and people as borne by history
and practice.
Camaraderie- The binding spirit that enhances
teamwork and cooperation in the police organization,
extending to the people they serve., in manifested by
the PNP members deep commitment and concern
for one another.
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