No more ‘his excellency’ for Rody, ‘honorable’ for execs

MANILA, Philippines - Honorifics such as “your excellency” and “your honor” have been given to numerous officials or politicians in the country, but this is about to end at least in the executive department.

President Duterte has prohibited all departments, bureaus, Cabinet members and other heads of state-run entities from addressing him as “your excellency,” another first in a country fixated with titles.

In a memorandum dated July 15, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Duterte shall be addressed in all official communications, events or materials as “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.”

All departments, bureaus and state-run firms were also ordered to drop “His Excellency,” a title that precedes the names of presidents since time immemorial.

All Cabinet members shall also be addressed in all letters submitted to the Office of the President 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 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. – With Edith Regalado