Duterte set to lead Independence Day celebration at Rizal Park

June 8, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to lead the Independence Day celebration on June 12 at Rizal Park in Manila. This was after Duterte withdrew from his earlier pronouncement that he would lead the event in Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan Island Group in the disputed South China Sea where he was supposed to raise the Philippine flag. Vice President Leni Robredo will join Duterte during the flag raising ceremony at 8am, said Rene Escalante, chair of the National Committee on Historical Research-National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Simultaneous flag raising will be held in other historical parts of the country, like in Kawit, Cavite where the country's independence from Spain was declared by late General Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898. The 119th year anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence has a theme, "Kalayaan 2017, Pagbabagong Sama-samang Balikatin." There will also be wreath-laying in Rizal Park during the flag-raising ceremony. The President will also host the vin d'honneur for the members of the diplomatic corps in Malacanang during lunch time and in the afternoon, he may also attend a program at Rizal Park where a parade will also be held. He said Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea will issue a circular enjoining other government agencies, including the local government units, to have their simultaneous celebration. On June 11, he said there are different activities by different government agencies at Rizal Park. Due to the activities for two days at Rizal Park, the official said traffic will be rerouted.. Celerina Monte/DMS