Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 27) — President Rodrigo Duterte would skip the upcoming Rizal Day rites again, his spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed Friday.
Instead, Duterte will visit a different place to honor another hero.
“Parang ngayon si General [Gregorio] Del Pilar naman ang gusto niyang i-pay tribute,” Panelo said. “Eh palagi naman daw nagpupunta sa Luneta. Iba naman. Kasi National Heroes’ Day ‘di ba? Eh ang dami naman nating heroes.”
[Translation: Now it seems like he wants to pay tribute to General Gregorio Del Pilar… We always go to Luneta. Let’s try something else. Isn’t it National Heroes’ Day? We have so many national heroes.]
December 30 solely honors Jose Rizal, while National Heroes’ Day falls on the fourth Monday of August.
CNN Philippines Correspondent Ina Andolong contributed to this report.
