President Duterte to Ban Display of His Portraits, All Officials in Government Offices, Heroes Instead

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to ban the display of photos and portraits of himself and all other government officials inside government offices. He made the announcement during his speech in front of the soldiers in Malacañang last Tuesday, July 18. Instead, he said he prefers people, especially children to see portraits of our heroes being displayed.



"I intend to issue a decree. Ipatanggal ko ‘yung mga litrato namin. Lalo na ‘yang litrato ni… Tapos litrato, pagpasok niya, litrato niya. Na-buang man ‘yung mga ganoon na tao. Doon mo ilagay ‘yan sa mga pamilya ninyo, doon sa sala. Pati ‘yung akin," President Duterte said, noting that he never wanted his photos being displayed even back in Davao City.

"Sa Davao, when I was Mayor, I prohibited the display of my picture. And I told the decks there to display instead the pictures of our heroes," the president added, as he praised again the heroism of Lapu-Lapu as the country's first hero when the latter fought with the Spaniards, as his troops have killed Ferdinand Magellan during the battle of Mactan in 1521.

"Kami, wala pa kami. We have not yet arrived at that — mga picture namin… I suggest you… I’ll begin, but I’ll issue the order. Gusto ko ‘yung mga hero natin. Ma-emulate ng mga bata. Eh ‘yung iba diyan sa picture limang beses na dumaan ng graft and corruption sa kaso," he said further, with the tough-talking president taking a jab at corrupt officials.



By tradition, a portrait of the incumbent president of the Philippines is being displayed in major government offices. It is also being practiced in military establishments, to show who the current commander in chief is. Apparently, President Duterte is first president to have thought of not displaying photos of government officials. Say goodbye to Epal, that is.

Contributed by Renato Pasayao