Vice President Sara Duterte — Photo from Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal is a guiding light to all Filipinos, said Vice President Sara Duterte on the national hero’s 127th death anniversary.
“Today, Rizal’s legacy serves as a guiding light for all Filipinos. His unwavering love for our country, his fervent desire for freedom, and his commitment to justice resonate deeply with us. It reminds us that our duty is to uphold these values and work tirelessly for the rights and dignity of those who are marginalized and underrepresented,” Duterte said in a statement.
According to Duterte, who is also the country’s education secretary, Rizal was a visionary who changed the course of Philippine history.
READ: President’s Rizal Day message to people: Be like our national hero
“To the Filipino youth, Rizal’s values are an everlasting wellspring of inspiration. His curiosity and passion for knowledge serve as a beacon, showing us the path towards a brighter future. Let us honor his memory by nurturing our own hunger for knowledge and becoming the leaders who will carry our nation forward,” she said.
The Vice President urged Filipinos to continue Rizal’s vision and enact our own dreams for the future in the present day.
“Let this Rizal Day inspire every Filipino to rise above challenges, become catalysts for personal growth and development, and remind one another that we possess the capacity to build and restore our nation. Let us transcend our differences and unite for a progressive, resilient, and inclusive Philippines,” she said.