MANILA, Philippines (AP) – Known for his disdain for pomp and protocol, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte turned his first state of the nation address Monday into primetime entertainment by injecting jokes and showing his unease with the teleprompter.
He signaled a few days ago that he would stray from the traditional formalities of the Philippine president’s most important speech by asking legislators and their spouses to dress in business attire and not the expensive gowns and suits that Manila’s media feast on like in a fashion spectacle each year.
He also signed an order to strike out the honorifics “his excellency” to address him and “honorable” to address lawmakers.
When he stepped on the red carpet to enter the House of Representatives, his anti-corruption campaign jingle sang by prominent folk singer Freddie Aguilar lilted in the august hall. Then he was called on stage, his native shirt partly unbuttoned and its sleeve slightly rolled up.
Duterte focused Monday’s speech on his deadly war on drugs and his peacemaking efforts with Marxist and Muslim insurgents, but many may remember his antics the most.