The dictionary defines the word “presidential” as an adjective which, among others, pertains to the president in his official capacity, and regardless of whoever is the incumbent president.
Thus, Malacañang is properly called “the presidential palace,” irrespective of who the incumbent president is. It’s the presidential palace under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, and it will be the presidential palace in subsequent administrations.
The official vehicles used by President Duterte are properly called “the presidential limousine,” “the presidential helicopter,” etc. During the Commonwealth era, President Manuel L. Quezon had an official yacht which the press of the period correctly called “the presidential yacht.”
Official acts of the president are “presidential” in character. Thus, when the president exercises his constitutional power of executive clemency, that is his “presidential prerogative.” Under the 1973 Constitution, President Ferdinand Marcos was empowered to issue executive decrees which had the force and effect of legislation. Because Marcos issued such decrees in his official capacity, his edicts were aptly called “presidential decrees.”
Sites and structures established exclusively in honor of the nation’s presidents can rightfully use the adjective, as in “the presidential museum” at Malacañang.
HAIL TO THE CHAIR
Any infrastructure, private or public, that is named in honor of a past president cannot be described as “presidential” because it has nothing to do with the officialdom associated with a president. For instance, Ramon Magsaysay Avenue in Santa Mesa, Manila, a public road named in honor of President Ramon Magsaysay, the third president of the third republic, should not be called a “presidential” road. In the same light, it will be absurd to hear of a “presidential building,” a “presidential bridge,” or a “presidential hospital.”
The same may be said of cities and provinces named after past presidents. Quezon City and Quezon Province, for instance, cannot be referred to as a “presidential city” and a “presidential province,” respectively. How can a city or a province be presidential?
Places or facilities attended with extra-ordinary stature and amenities undoubtedly fit for the use of a head of state may be described as “presidential.” That is why the best suite in a five-star hotel is “the presidential suite.”
There are, of course, lower-grade hotels and inns that each claim to have a “presidential suite” but it does not deserve the adjective. The best room in an ordinary hotel may be the best the place can offer, but is should not be called a “presidential” suite.
Surprisingly, the adjective is used indiscriminately by the news media when reporting on the president, his activities, and even his family.
Take for example Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, who happens to be the son of President Duterte, and Mr. Manases Carpio, who is the president’s son-in-law. After they appeared at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation a week ago, the news media referred to them as the “presidential son” and “presidential son-in-law.” That type of description is, to say the least, inappropriate use of language.
The vice mayor and Mr. Carpio should have been described as “the president’s son” and “the president’s son-in-law,” respectively. The use of the adjective “presidential” is inappropriate because the relationship between the two young men and President Duterte is not something official or created by law. Simply stated, there is nothing “presidential” about being the son or son-in-law of the president.
To illustrate the point further, the family of the president is not called “the presidential family” but “the first family.” The wife of the president is not referred to as the “presidential spouse” but as “the first lady.” Why? The relationship between and among the members of the president’s family has been there long before the president was elected to the presidency. Their ties are hardly presidential.
When Jejomar Binay was the vice president, none of his children were referred to as either “the vice presidential son” or “vice presidential daughter.” There may be “vice presidential privileges,” which are privileges only a sitting vice president is entitled to, but there is are no such entities as “vice presidential son” or “vice presidential son-in-law.”
It has been said that language is dynamic, and that its words evolve as the language gets older. That may be true, but then again, if the rules on language are indiscriminately changed to suit what is convenient, then advance English-language courses in Philippine universities out to be dispensed with, and Filipinos should be satisfied with a basic or intermediate level appreciation and understanding of the language. That may not be a good idea for the Filipino people in a world where English has become the dominant language for international trade and diplomacy, and even in international education.
The sooner this language malady is corrected, the better it will be for Filipinos who want to speak and write in English properly. An excellent command of the language will certainly be an advantage for the Filipino.
Since language is the subject of discussion in this essay anyway, attention is also invited to other words that are often used inappropriately by the news media.
The word “verdict” should not be used in refering to a court judgment, ruling, or decision. A verdict is the finding made by a jury after it has deliberated on the merits of a criminal case. Since there is no jury system obtaining in the Philippines, the use of the term in the coverage of court cases in the country is certainly misplaced.
“Presently” is synonymous to the word “later” and it should not be mixed up with the phrase “at present.” Thus, one should say, “I am indisposed at present, but I can join you presently.”
English has been in use in the Philippines since the dawn of the twentieth century. For this reason, Filipinos should not find it difficult to master the language to the level of world class usage. That will definitely be to one’s personal advantage, as well as that of the nation.