Foreword CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2: CHAPTER 3: CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 5: CHAPTER 6: CHAPTER 7: CHAPTER 8: CHAPTER 9: CHAPTER 10: Table of Contents Precedence Assumption of Charge Procedures for incoming and Outgoing Foreign Ambassadors to the Philippines and Presentation of Credentials National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines immunities and Privileges, Diplomatic Vehicles, and Residences and Offices Calls and Social Functions - Names, Introductions, and Addressing Officials Hosting Social Events Organizing Official Functions Etiquette for Everyday Situations Acknowledgment 42 20 27 30 St 66 7FOREWORD Protocol refers to the accepted rules goveming the conduct of government officiels, most especially diplomats, in a foreign (or host) country. Rules of protocol are also observed in different international and local organizations. These rules include courtesies, nicelies, and politeness in oral and written communication, attendance in different functions, and in the day-to-day performance of duties of officials and diplornats. To a certain degree it also includes the rules of behavior of ordinary people in respecting the formal and official practices of a foreign country Protocol is, thus, important as, according to Pierre de Fouquieres, “Protocol refers to the g00d-breeding of nations.” it regulates the interaction of nations and their representatives; promotes friendly and peaceful relations; ensures efficiency as it minimizes confusion and conflict, and resolves disputes conceming privileges and immunities of persons entitled to them. Sources of protocol include local customs, laws and regulations, scholarly works, treaties, and international agreements. The important intemational agreements relating to protocol are the Congress of Vienna (1815), Congress of Aicla-Chapelle (1818), Pan Havana Convention (1928), The Vienna Convention on’ Diplomatic Relations (1961), and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963). For the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is the lead government agency that conducts diplomacy, rules of protocol and social graces are particularly significant. All of its personnel, from its highest-ranking officials to its most junior staff, are expected to know and practice these rules as they represent our country abroad. Philippine protocol practices conform to traditional and customary intemational practices also observed in other countries, Rules of Protocol are prescribed in the Philippine Foreign Service Code (1983) and the Regulations of the Department of Foreign Affairs (1996) Through this Handbook, the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) hopes that these different protocol practices, as well as general rules of good manners, will be made more accessible to the men and women of the Philippine Foreign Service as they perform their noble duly as representatives of our country and the Filipino people, ‘This first edition is by no means complete. The FSI believes that through the suggestions and feedback of the readers and users of this Handbook, il can continually improve this material and include other important developments in the practice of protocol and social graces. The FS! encourages collaboration with its clients to fulfil its mandate of providing excellent and relevant training to the personnel of the DFA. peer IERVA JEAN A, FALCON Director Foreign Service Institute 15 May 2009