PRRD? Pres. DU30? Spokesperson says up to public to decide Duterte’s presidential nickname

By the time clock strikes 12 noon on June 30, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will become the 16th President of the Philippines. And by tradition, a presidential nickname must be issued.

At a press briefing on Friday in Davao City, spokesperson Peter Laviña said they have been receiving tons of suggestions from netizens.

“We solicited help from the people, particularly on social media. We will let their creativity flourish. Many would call him President Digong, President Rody, President D-U-3-0 or President Duterte,” he said.

"We just let the people do it on their own. Meron daw PRRD, PRody, PGong," he added. 

RRD means Rodrigo Roa Duterte, his full name, while his other nicknames are Rody and Digong. 

Nonetheless, the public should sometimes formally address Duterte to respect the Office of the President. 

"But as I said, you can call him by whatever name you prefer but there will be times that you have to address him officially and formally as Mr. President... Our experience in Davao, he does not want to be called sir. He wants to be called Mayor or by his first name," Laviña said. 

“We are not dictators, so we will not dictate,” he joked. — RSJ, GMA News