PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered all government employees to refrain from addressing him "His Excellency" in all official communications.
In the July 15 memorandum released by Malacañang, the President instructed all departments, bureaus, Cabinet members, and other heads of agencies, government financial institutions, and other instrumentalities of the government to merely call him "President Rodrigo Roa Duterte."
"The President shall be addressed in all official communications, events, or materials as 'President Rodrigo Roa Duterte' only, and without the term 'His Excellency,'" the memorandum read.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that Duterte had not wanted to be addressed that way to keep his "populist presidential style" and make communications with his constituents "less ceremonial."
"[The reason why the President refused to be called 'His Excellency' is because it is in line with] keeping with his populist style, he encourages less ceremonial communications," Abella said in a text message.
Duterte, who served as local chief in Davao City for more than 20 years, is not used to being called "President" as he still wants to be called "Mayor."
In his speeches, he would always call himself "Mayor Rody" every time he recounted his past experiences.
Meanwhile, the President also directed that all Cabinet officials shall be called "Secretary" instead of "Honorable."
"All members of the cabinet shall be addressed in all official communications submitted to the Office of the President as 'Secretary' only and without the term 'Honorable,'" the memorandum said.
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, it added.
The memorandum was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. (Sunnex)
