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Annex A

Forms of Address, Salutation and Complimentary Close

General

A. Forms of address, salutation and complimentary close are determined by social and official customs.

B. The envelope addresses of letters and other communications are more complete than the addresses in the body of the communications to facilitate delivery.

C. There are many optional variations in forms of address, especially in the salutation and complimentary close.

Philippine Forms

Titles of Address

A. In addressing distinguished Filipinos and people of other nationalities the proper form of address must be ascertained and the correct title should be used.

B. A spouse does not share her/his spouse's official title and is to be addressed as Mr. or Mrs. (name).

Forms of Address, Salutation and Complimentary Close Used in Addressing Government Officials of the Philippines in Their Order of Presence

The President

Address:

The President
        Mlacañang
                Manila

Salutation:

His Excellency (very formal; official)
Mr. President (formal)
Dear Mr. President (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Respectfully, (formal; official)
Faithfully yours, (informal; official)
Very respectfully, (private individuals)

Prime Minister

Address:

The Prime Minister
        Batasang Pambasa
                Manila

Salutation:

His Excellency (very formal; official)
Mr. Prime Minister (informal; official)
Dear Mr. Prime Minister (private individuals)

Complimentary Close:

Respectfully, (formal; official)
Faithfully yours, (informal; official)
Very respectfully, (private individuals)

Former President of the Philippines

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                (office address)

Salutation:

Dear Mr. de la Cruz

Complimentary Close:

Respectfully, or Respectfully yours,

Speaker of the Batasang Pambasa

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Speaker of the Batasang Pambasa
                        Quezon City

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. Speaker: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Address:

The Honorable
        The Chief Justice
                Supreme Court of the Philippines
                        Manila

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. Chief Justice: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Minister for Foreign Affairs
                        Manila

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. Minister: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Used by foreign missions:

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Minister for Foreign Affairs of the
                        Republic of the Philippines
                                Manila, Philippines

Salutation:

Excellency: (formal)
My dear Mr. Minister: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Accept, Excellency, the (renewed) assurances of my most distinguished consideration. (formal diplomatic usage)
Very truly yours, (formal general usage)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Members of the Cabinet who are Heads of Ministries

  • Minister of Finance
  • Minister of Justice
  • Minister of Agriculture
  • Minister of Public Works
  • Minister of Education and Culture
  • Minister of Labor and Employment
  • Minister of National Defense
  • Minister of Health
  • Minister of Trade
  • Minister of Social Services and Development
  • Minister of National Economic and Development Authority
  • Minister of Agrarian Reform
  • Minister of Public Information
  • Minister of Local Governments and Community Development
  • Minister of Tourism
  • Minister of Industry
  • Minister of Public Highways
  • Minister of Natural Resources
  • Minister of Youth and Sports Development
  • Minister of Energy
  • Minister of Human Settlements
  • Minister of the Budget
  • Minister of Transportation and Communication
  • Solicitor-General
Address:

The Honorable
        Juan(a) de la Cruz
                Minister for _______________

Salutation:

Sir:/Madam: (formal)
Dear Mr. Minister:/Madam Minister: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Officials with Cabinet Rank of Minister

  • Chairman of the National Science Development Board
  • Presidential Assistant on National Minorities
  • Presidential Executive Assistant
  • Presidential Assistant
Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                (position title)

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. de la Cruz: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Members of the Interim Batasang Pambasa

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Assemblyman, Region ________
                        Batasang Pambasa
                                Quezon City

Associate Justices of the Supreme Court

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Associate Justice of the
                        Supreme Court
                                Manila

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. Justice de la Cruz: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Chairmen of the Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit and Commission on Elections

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Chairman of the ____________

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. Chairman: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Presiding Justice and Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Presiding (Associate) Justice
                        Court of Appeals
                                Manila

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. Justice de la Cruz: (informal)

Ambassador of the Philippines

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                (Position at MFA - may be eliminated)
                        Ministry of Foreign Affairs
                                Manila

Address (at post):

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Ambassador of the (Republic of the)
                        Philippines
                                City, Country

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. Ambassador: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Deputy Ministers of other Ministries

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Deputy Minister of ______________
                        Manila

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. Deputy Minister: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Principal Officers with the Rank of Ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. de la Cruz: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Commissioners of the Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, and the Commission on Elections

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Commissioner of the _______________
                        Manila

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. Commissioner: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Governor of the Central Bank

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Governor of the Central Bank
                        of the Philippines
                                Manila

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. Governor: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary of the Philippines

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                (office address)

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. de la Cruz: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Principal Officers with the Rank of Counselor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

If the officer is the head of an office or division, he is addressed as "The Honorable";
if he is not, he is simply addressed as Mr. _____________.

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Ministry of Foreign Affairs
                        Manila

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. de la Cruz: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Mayor of Manila, President of the University of the Philippines, Chief of Staff, Commissioners and Officials with the Rank of Deputy Minister

Mayor of Manila

Address:

His Honor
        Juan de la Cruz
                Mayor of Manila

President of the University of the Philippines

Address:

Mr. Juan de la Cruz
        President of the University of the
                Philippines
                        Diliman, Quezon City

Chief of Staff

Address:

(AFP Rank) de la Cruz
        Chief of Staff
                Armed Forces of the Philippines
                        Fort Emilio Aguilando
                                Quezon City

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                (position title)

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. de la Cruz: (informal)
Dear Mr. (Title): (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Provincial Governors

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Governor of ______________
                        (name of provincial capital)

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. Governor: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Mayors of Chartered Cities

A mayor of an unchantered city is addressed as "The Mayour".

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Mayor of (name of city)

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. Mayor: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Vice Chiefs of Staff and Heads of Major AFP Command with the Rank of Major General

Address:

Major General (other higher rank) de la Cruz
        (service designation, i.e., PA, PAF, PC)
                (position title)

Salutation:

Sir: or Dear Major General de la Cruz: (formal; official)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)

Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the Rank of Major General or Rear Admiral

Address:

Major General/Rear Admiral de la Cruz
        (PA, PAF, PC, PCG)
                (position title and/or address)

Salutation:

Sir: or Dear General/Admiral de la Cruz: (formal; official)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)

Judges of the Courts of First Instance

Address:

The Honorable
        Juan de la Cruz
                Judge of the Court of First Instance
                        (place of jurisdiction)

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Judge de la Cruz: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the Rank of Brigadier General or Commodore

Address:

Brigadier General/Commodore (appropriate rank title) de la Cruz
        (service designation)
                (office address)

Salutation:

Sir: or Dear General/Commodore de la Cruz: (formal; official)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)

Directors of Bureaus and Chiefs of Offices

Address:

Mr. Juan de la Cruz
        (title)
                (name of bureau/office)

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. de la Cruz: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Presidents, Chairmen, and Managers of Government Corporations

Address:

Mr. Juan de la Cruz
        (title)
                (name of corporation)

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
Dear Mr. de la Cruz: (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the Rank of Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel

Address:

Colonel/Lieutenant Colonel de la Cruz
        (service designation)
                (office address)

Salutation:

Sir: or Dear Colonel de la Cruz: (formal; official)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)

Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the Rank of Major or Captain

Address:

Major/Captain de la Cruz
        (service designation)

Salutation:

Sir: or Dear Major/Captain de la Cruz: (formal; official)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)

Forms of Address, Salutation and Complimentary Close Used in Addressing Foreign Government Officials in the Philippines

Foreign Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Address:

His Excellency
        ______________________
                Ambassador of (country)
                        Manila

Salutation:

Excellency: (formal)
My dear Mr. Ambassador: or My dear Ambassador (last name): (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Accept, Excellency, the (renewed) assurances of my highest consideration. (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Foreign Charge d'Affaires (de misi or ad interim)

Address:

Mr. (full name)
        Charge d'Affaires (ad interim) of (country)
                Manila

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
My dear Mr. Charge d'Affaires: or My dear Mr. (last name): (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Accept, Sir, the (renewed) assurances of my high consideration. (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Charge d'Affaires ad interim with Rank of Minister

Address:

The Honorable
        ____________________________
                Minister Plenipotentiary
                        Charge d'Affaires of (country)
                                Manila

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
My dear Mr. Charge d'Affaires: or My dear Minister (last name): (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Accept, Sir, the (renewed) assurances of my high consideration. (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)

Consul General, Consul, or Vice Consul

Address:

Mr. (full name)
        Consul General/Consul/Vice Consul of (country) or
        (nationality, i.e., British) Consul General/Consul/Vice Consul
                (city)

Salutation:

Sir: (formal)
My dear Consul General/Consul/Vice Consul: or My dear Mr. (last name): (informal)

Complimentary Close:

Very truly yours, (formal)
Sincerely yours, (informal)