President Rodrigo Duterte has very strong feelings about the name Malacañang Palace. So strong that he plans to change the name of the official residence of the Philippine president to the People’s Palace.
He said, “Call it Malacañang Palace, I only call it ‘The People’s Palace.’ One day I will rename it, ‘People’s Palace.’”
According to President Duterte, the current name suggests imperialism, because it was the Spanish who named the palace Malacañang.
Changing the name to People’s Palace will stay true to President Duterte’s promise that he wants to be close to the poor. Hours after his inauguration on June 30 (where he served simple Filipino dishes), he met families from Tondo.
He also said that the poor are welcome inside the palace, and can even sleep there.
The original structure of the Malacañang dates back to 1750 as a summer house of Don Luís Rocha. In 1825, it was purchased by the state to become the summer house of the governor-general. Through the years, it has housed 18 Spanish governors-general, 14 American military and civil governors, and the presidents of the Philippines. It has also been remodeled and rebuilt, most extensively during the term of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
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