Duterte’s push to change PHL name an expression of idea — Panelo

President Rodrigo Duterte's push to change the country's name had nothing to do with the chief executive's disdain for colonial rule, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte's idea was "more of asserting our national identity" than a resentment of the Spanish rule.

"Tingnan natin how it evolves. He is expressing an idea again as usual," Panelo said.

Duterte on Monday expressed his agreement with the late former President Ferdinand Marcos' supposed plan to change the country's name from the Philippines to Maharlika, which reportedly means "nobly created."

The Philippines was named after the Spanish monarch Philip II. The archipelago was a Spanish colony for more than three centuries until it was seized in 1898 by the Americans who ruled until 1946.

Panelo said a law is needed to change the country's name.

Article XVI of the 1987 Constitution provides that Congress may pass a law to "adopt a new name for the country, a national anthem, or a national seal, which shall all be truly reflective and symbolic of the ideals, history, and traditions of the people."

The law, however, shall only take effect upon its ratification by the people.

Panelo also does not see the need to create a commission that would look into changing the name of the Philippines as proposed by Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano, an opposition lawmaker.

The Palace official said a bill may contain the proposed new name.

"If the Constitution says you can enact a law, why do you have to create a commission? By proposing a bill then magde-deliberate yan sa Congress lahat ng mga players puwede niyang imbitahan. Diretso na," Panelo said.

Under House Bill 5867, Alejano proposed the creation of a “Geographic Renaming Commission” which would "study the possibility and the feasibility of renaming our country.”

The lawmaker said the possible name should “appropriately address and define us as a people and nation.” — RSJ, GMA News