MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Anyone who has watched the 2016 presidential campaign knows by now that President-elect Rodrigo Duterte does not like wearing suits, or the barong tagalog.  His preference has always been his trademark red, black and white checkered polo shirt.

It goes without saying that the Filipinos are quite curious about what Duterte is going to wear when he takes his oath of office at noon on June 30, 2016.

No surprises there.

Duterte will still wear his favorite checkered shirt under a reddish-brown leather jacket — an attire that symbolizes both his simplicity and toughness. He will also wear a fedora.

Today, the Duterte transition committee unveiled the design of Duterte’s inaugural attire, modeled by no less than Filipino American singer Bruno Mars.

The inaugural attire was designed by Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza. Yes, the same Barraza who designed the national costume of Miss Philippines MJ Lastimosa during the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant.

Duterte seemed to like the design, except that he was furious Mars was photographed holding a cigarette.  The president-elect is against smoking, at least in public.

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – President-elect Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has announced several austerity and simplicity measures that will mark his administration, including flying back and forth to Davao City instead of living in the presidential palace in Manila, as well as scrapping the expensive and elaborate presidential inauguration.

Duterte’s latest announcement has angered the wives of senators and congressmen, as well as female legislators.

Each year, during the president’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), a Hollywood-type red carpet ceremony is held at the Batasang Pambansa, the congress building in Quezon City.  The ladies all look forward to this once-a-year spectacle to show off their expensive and designer (well, for some — home-made and  non-designer) gowns.

Duterte wants nothing of the red carpets when he delivers his SONA.  In fact, he said that he, himself, will come in his trademark red and black checkered, shortsleeved polo shirt.

“Change is coming,” the mayor said.