MANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:37 p.m.) — President Rodrigo Duterte has released a directive ordering all government units to address him without the term "His Excellency."
"(T)he President shall be addressed in all official communications, events, or materials as 'PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE' only, and without the term 'His Excellency,'" Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said in a memorandum issued on Thursday.
The president also ordered that all members of the Cabinet should be addressed as "Secretary" only and without the term "Honorable."
"However, all government agencies and offices, in their discretion, may still use the term 'Honorable' in addressing their respective heads of offices in their internal communications and documents," Medialdea said in the memorandum.
Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said the dropping of honorific titles is in line with Duterte’s “populist presidential style.”
“He (Duterte) encourages less ceremonial" communications,” Abella said in a text message.
Duterte appears to be uncomfortable with some of the rituals and traditions surrounding the presidency.
Last May, he said he would rather be called “mayor of the Philippines” than “president.” Duterte governed Davao City with an iron fist for 22 years.
Weeks before his inauguration, Duterte said he would do away with the presidential convoy because he did not want to be followed around. He said he was used to having just two vehicles with him when doing his job as mayor. Duterte, however, did not get his desired set-up for security reasons.
Duterte also broke traditions during his inauguration last June 30 when he did away with the inaugural ball and lavish dinners. He also did away with the tradition of holding the inaugural rites at the Quirino Grandstand, preferring instead to take his oath of office in Malacañang.
Last week, officials said Duterte’s first state of the nation address on Monday would be toned down so that the public would focus on the president’s message and not on the ceremonies or lavish outfits of the attendees.
A recent Pulse Asia survey showed that nine out of 10 Filipinos trust the new president. Among 1,200 respondents nationwide, 91 percent said that they trust Duterte.
Duterte will hold his first State of the Nation Address on Monday at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.
