Palace orders gov’t offices to drop ‘His Excellency’ in addressing President Duterte

Duterte, the country’s 16th president, is known for his simple living despite being the mayor of Davao City for 23 years. (Photo: Marcelino Pascua/PCOO)

MANILA – Malacañang has issued a memorandum directing heads of departments, bureaus, and other government offices to refrain from addressing President Rodrigo Duterte as “His Excellency” and the Cabinet members as “Honorable” in all official communications.

The move is “in keeping with his [Pres. Duterte) populist presidential style, he encourages less ceremonial communications,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

The memorandum was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea last July 16 and was posted on social media Facebook.

“As a matter of policy, the President has instructed that the President shall be addressed in all official communications, events, or materials as “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte” only, and without the term “His Excellency,” stated in the memorandum.

“All members of the Cabinet shall be addressed in all official communications submitted to Office of the President as “Secretary” only, and without the term “Honorable,” it added.

Medialdea, however, said all government agencies and offices, in their discretion, “may use the term ‘Honorable’ in addressing their respective heads of offices in their internal communications and documents.”

Duterte, the country’s 16th president, is known for his simple living despite being the mayor of Davao City for 23 years. He also once served as congressman of the first district of Davao City.

Recently, Pres. Duterte directed his Cabinet members to avoid VIP treatment at the airports.

Last July 7, the President walked the talk by avoiding the special treatment at the Terminal II of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) while on his way to Davao City.