MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has ordered all government employees to refrain from addressing him “His Excellency” in all official communications.
A memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Friday, July 15 stated 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’.
The memorandum also stated that 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’.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the move is “in keeping with President Duterte’s populist presidential style.
He said dropping the word His Excellency and Honorable “encourages less ceremonial communications.”
The memorandum, however, said that all government agencies and offices, at their discretion, may use the term honorable in addressing their respective head of offices in their internal communications and documents.
