President Rodrigo Duterte salutes as he leads the commemoration of the 120th anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal鈥檚 martyrdom held at the Rizal National Monument in Manila back in 2016. KING RODRIGUEZ/ Presidential Photo
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� President Rodrigo Duterte will skip again this year鈥檚 Rizal Day celebration in Manila on December 30, Malaca帽ang confirmed Friday.
Presidential spokesperson Savador Panelo said Duterte would rather honor other Filipino heroes who do not have a date to commemorate their heroism.
鈥淗e will not be attending the Rizal [Day] rites, he鈥檇 rather go to some place,鈥� Panelo told reporters in Malaca帽ang.
鈥淚 think this year he wanted to give treatment to [General Gregorio] del Pilar,鈥� he added.
Del Pilar died Dec. 2, 1899 at Tirad Pass during the Philippine-American War. He was born in Bulakan, Bulacan.
Panelo further justified Duterte鈥檚 impending absence at the 123rd martyrdom commemoration of Rizal at the Luneta Park in Manila.
鈥淗e said he always goes to Luneta,鈥� his spokesman said, adding that the other national heroes of the country has been forgotten.
He defended Duterte, saying his absence on Monday鈥檚 commemoration would not be a slight against Rizal.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think so. He always issues statements, anyway,鈥� he said.
In 2018, Duterte also skipped Rizal Day ceremonies in Davao City to rest.
Edited by JPV