(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, Feb. 11, said the Philippines should be renamed Maharlika.
“Panahon ni (former President Ferdinand) Marcos, tama talaga si Marcos. Gusto niya palitan [ng] Maharlika, the Republic of Maharlika because maharlika is a Malay word and it means more of a concept of serenity and peace,” he said.
According to Duterte, the word Philippines in the first place reflected remnants of colonialism.
The word, after all, was derived from the Spanish monarch Philip II, who funded an expedition that led to the “discovery” of the country.
The Philippines went on to become a Spanish colony for hundreds of years.
“Kaya pagdating ng ul*l ginawang Philippines,” he said.
“Pero okay na ‘yan, balang araw palitan natin,” Duterte added.
A bill that seeks to create a commission that will study the feasibility of changing the country’s name has been filed by Rep. Gary Alejano in the House of Representatives.