I dress for comfort, not to impress – Rody

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte said he does not dress to impress after he was bashed for wearing wrinkled barong tagalog during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila last week.

“I dress to be comfortable not to impress anyone,” the President said during the launch of the Department of Agriculture’s partnership with Ayala Malls TienDA farmers and fisherfolks outlets in Davao City Saturday.

“I was there presiding not to please the figures, the prime ministers and presidents. Dito lang ako comfortable (I am comfortable this way),” he added.

Duterte explained, apparently in jest, that his barong tagalog was wrinkled because it was something which he asked his partner Cielito Avanceña to buy for him in Tutuban.

“Iyon ang kusot masa at hindi yon kusot mayaman (that is a cloth for the masses, not for the rich),” he added.

Duterte has been observed to sometimes pair barong tagalog with denim pants, which many find improper.

He also folds his barong sleeves three-fourths, a practice which he said he got from former president Fidel Ramos.

When he dies, Duterte wants to be dressed in a coat and tie.

“There was a time that I saw a barong that looked like mine. So when I arrived home, I told my yaya to throw it away because it really looked exactly the same as the one (worn by the one) who died,” the President said in jest.