Duterte wants to rename Malacañang

If he had his way, President Duterte would rather call Malacañang Palace the “People’s Palace.”

“One day I will rename it ‘People’s Palace,’” Mr. Duterte told reporters in Davao City, adding that the official residence of the President has alienated poor Filipinos.”

“One day, [I’ll] also invite everybody, the poor people, the powerless who have not seen it, those from Tondo and  Pandacan… for them to see the ‘People’s Palace,’” the President said, referring to the urban poor communities of Manila.

Malacañang was “called such only during the time of those who came here and made us their slaves,” Mr. Duterte said, using an expletive-laden description of the country’s former colonizers. “The Spanish and Americans, who else?” he added.

“The word ‘Malacañang’ sucks with imperialism. It’s true. Who called it ‘Malacañang Palace?’ It’s the Spaniards,” the President said.

Originally built in 1750, the vast estate along the Pasig River was acquired by the Spanish colonial government in 1825 and turned into the official residence and office of the governor-general.