Manila: Presumptive Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte may give up the perks of sleeping at his official residence, the Malacanang Palace, and instead find other “ghost-free” areas in Metro Manila to spend his nights, sources say.
“He does not hide the fact that he is afraid of ghosts … just like anyone and he told us that he would not sleep in Malacanang,” said a Gulf News source, a member of President-in-waiting Duterte’s PDP-Laban (Democratic Party of the Philippines-People’s Strength Party).
Malacanang, is the official residence and principal workplace of the Philippine head of state.
Originally built by a member of the Spanish elite, Don Luis Rocha in 1750, the palatial residence located along the Pasig River had been temporary official home to 18 Spanish governor-generals, four American governors and a number of Philippine Presidents the latest of which was President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Incumbent President Benigno Aquino III had chosen to sleep in a part of the palace complex across the Pasig River.
The source said while the soon to be former Davao City Mayor Duterte said he would not sleep in Malacanang, he will still utilise the palace as his official residence.
“In a joking manner, he said he was afraid of sleeping in the palace because the ghost of previous occupants are there,” said the source.
Duterte cuts as a contradiction by himself to some.
Being scared of apparitions would be the last thing anybody would expect from someone who basks in the reputation of doing away with criminals in a direct way.
This same status earned for him the respect as well as fear of other wrongdoers — be they petty criminals or big time syndicate members.
The multiple-term Davao chief executive has earned a reputation for his unconventional, yet populist ways.
He is said to have routinely roamed his city incognito aboard a nondescript cab during the night to check on the peace and order situation.
Duterte had also said that he plans a simple presidential inauguration that will do away with the usual fanfare.
“They could expect to be served soft drinks instead of wine,” he was reported to have said.
Duterte will be the 16th President of the Philippine Republic. He is expected to hold his inauguration on June 30.
