Aquino, Binay to lead Rizal Day rites in Tarlac City, Manila

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino III will lead the commemoration Monday of the 117th death anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in Tarlac City, the state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) said Sunday.

Aquino will be joined by Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Noel Caballes in the rites, which will be held simultaneously with the commemoration rites at the Rizal National Monument in Manila to be led by Vice President Jejomar Binay. In both programs, the national flag will be hoisted and wreaths laid at the monuments of the national hero, the PNA said.

The PNA report also quoted Captain Anthony Bacus, Army spokesperson, as saying that Rizal Day’s theme this year is “Rizal: Inspirasyon Noon, Ngayon, at Bukas,” noting the legacy of the hero “remaining alive among Filipino soldiers.”

“Today we draw inspiration from the non-violent struggles of Rizal. We fight for peace the way Rizal advocated for reforms—through peaceful means,” Bacus said.

The peaceful means, Bacus said, is embodied in the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In the IPSP “Bayanihan,” the military recognizes the “more important end state of winning the peace rather than defeating the enemy.”

On Friday, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte reiterated the provision of Republic Act 229 requiring all institutions, both public and private, to lower the Philippine flag to half staff in “solemn commemoration of Dr. Rizal’s ultimate sacrifice on December 30, 1896.”

Valte also said in a statement that the law forbidding cockfighting, horse racing, and Jai Alai games on Rizal Day still stands.

Violators of the law face criminal punishment in the form of fines or imprisonment.

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