Duterte wants to rename the Philippines

Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is advocating to change the nation's name one day.

Proposing the name “Maharlika”, which in the local language means nobility, the leader feels it will help move away from the country’s colonial links.

It's in sync with a similar suggestion made by late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

The country, which was under Spanish rule for more than 300 years, derived its name from Spain’s King Philip II.

More from International