Duterte keeps to simple fashion sense in int'l debut

President Rodrigo Duterte introduces his delegation to Laotian President Bounnhang Vorachith during a courtesy visit at the Presidential Palace in Vientiane, Laos on Wednesday, September 7, 2016. FILE PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte donned a ready-made suit in one of the events he attended in his first business trip abroad.

"Bumili ako ng ready made suit," he said in a press conference held at the Davao International Airport early Saturday morning.

The President also said that: "Hindi ako nagpatahi ng mahal."

Before talking about his suit, Duterte had warned corrupt government employees that they will be assigned to a far-flung province in Mindanao if they do not mend their ways.

"To all employees of government, huwag nyo akong hiyain dito," said Duterte, adding that "Mapapahiya kasi ako, I promised the people this (to stop corruption)."

With this message, the President underscored that he always wanted to try his best to look presentable and decide to wear a suit and Barong Tagalog in formal events during the ASEAN Summit in Laos and his working visit to Indonesia.

Duterte also revealed at the press conference, however, that the suit he bought was too loose for him that he had someone to buy suspenders to hold up his pants.

"Maluwang masyado, bumili ako ng suspender, (pero) mahulog man," he added.

The revelation, which was not without his self-deprecating humor, was made before members of the media, his entourage to his foreign trip, and other government officials.

Duterte also said he had a problem putting on a tie and asked someone for help or he might choke himself.

His fashion sense has been simple even during his 20-year service as Davao City Mayor as he opted to wear plaid shirts or polo shirts.

When he became president, Duterte also donned the now famous "Maong Tagalog," pairing a Barong Tagalog with jeans. — BAP, GMA News