JUST CALL ME RODY,
NOT 'YOUR EXCELLENCY'

By Manny Piñol

A funny thing happened Monday night when I made a presentation before the Cabinet the planned preparation for the expected onslaught of La Niña, the climatic phenomenon which brings unusually heavy rains.

Following protocol, I started my presentation with the usual courtesies for President Rody Duterte and the members of the Cabinet.

"You Excellency, members of the Cabinet ...," I saif as I began to explain why, in the face of the unpredictability of climate, the country must strive to attain not only rice self-sufficiency but establish a 6-month buffer stock.

Halfway through my presentation and as I kept repeating "Your Excellency" to address President Duterte, I noticed that he pulled a piece of paper and a ballpen from Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez.

Sec. Dominguez sits between me and the President.

After scribbling something on the piece of paper, President Duterte pushed it to Sec. Dominguez who passed it on to me.

Pausing from my presentation to read the Presidential note, I read the message:

"Stop addressing me Your Excellency. Just call me Rody," the note from the President said.

I chuckled and told him: "Sorry, Mr. President."

Yan ang tunay na tao humble hindi sya mayabang kaya binoto sya ng 16 million filipinos dahil alam nila na karapat dapat sya sa posisyon. At ngayon palang, ilang linggo ang nakakalipas ay patuloy nyang tinutupad ang kanyang mga pangako during his campaign na tugisin at hadlangan ang paglaganap ng illegal drugs sa bansa. Big salute to you President Digong.