(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend Rizal Day rites in Davao on Sunday, Dec. 30, as announced by the Palace earlier.
It was Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio who led the wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park instead.
“It is my sincere hope that this year’s commemoration will inspire everyone to emulate Rizal’s patriotism in their own ways by supporting the government’s development agenda and our campaign against corruption, criminality, and illegal drugs,” the mayor said.
In the President’s Rizal Day message released by the Palace earlier, Duterte urged Filipinos to embody Rizal’s patriotism in all their endeavors.
The Palace in a message urged Filipinos to be “modern-day heroes” to sustain the fight against the ills of society.
