Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 10) — President Rodrigo Duterte will be physically present during the 123rd Independence Day rites this year, his spokesman Harry Roque said Thursday.
“Dadalo in person ang Presidente sa komemorasyon ng ating [The President will be attending in person our commemoration of] Independence Day,” said Roque during his regular virtual briefing.
Roque said the ceremonies will be held outside the capital region, but did not say exactly where for security reasons.
This would mark Duterte’s second time to participate in Independence Day rites as president. The first one was in Kawit, Cavite in 2018, where he was met with heavy rains and heckles from protesters.
Duterte blamed exhaustion for skipping what were supposed to be his first official Independence Day rites as chief executive in 2017. Vice President Leni Robredo led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies in Luneta that year.
Robredo also led the National Freedom Day ceremonies in 2019, while Duterte decided to spend the day with the country’s troops.
The President also did not attend the commemoration rites last year, designating Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to lead the event instead.
