Duterte not flattered by his photos in government offices

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte reminded anew all government offices to comply with his previous directive to remove his portrait and replace it with the visual representation of Philippine heroes.

“They’re so hardheaded. You will not flatter me with my picture. It will just give me goosebumps,” Duterte said during his Christmas party with Malacañang reporters at Palace’s Heroes Hall on Tuesday, December 12.

“Kindly remind them about my order, these government offices, not to display my picture or the picture of (Special Assistant to the President Christopher) Bong Go.

We are not heroes,” he added.

On September 15, Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 25, directing all government agencies to display photographs, paintings or other forms of visual representations of Philippine heroes in public offices, in replacement of photographs of elected government officials.

Duterte’s order to take down photos of public officials was meant to promote the country’s historical and cultural heritage.

MC 25 listed Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Juan Luna, Melchora Aquino, Gabriela Silang, Lapu-Lapu, Emilio Jacinto, and famed priests Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora as among the recognized Philippine heroes.

When Duterte was the Davao City mayor, he also prohibited the display of his photos.

Duterte reiterated that his photos should not be the ones exhibited in public offices.

“It’s not yet our time to be there. We are not supposed to be in any corner (of government offices),” the President said.

“I’m requiring everybody who really want to show a sense of loyalty to the country (to) display the pictures or paintings of our heroes,” he added.