Aquino not avoiding metro protests on Independence Day—Palace

President Benigno S. Aquino III INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III will be celebrating Independence Day in Naga City but that does not mean that he’s hiding from anti-pork barrel scam rallies in Metro Manila.

“The President has made it a tradition to visit sites where there was a contribution to the Philippine independence,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told media on Wednesday.

“Not in any way related to the fact that there is a Scrap Pork Network rally tomorrow. They’re free to do that. We have a vibrant democracy,” he added.

Malacañang earlier announced that the commemoration of the 116^th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence will be held at Plaza Quince Martires in Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Quince Martires refers to the 15 Bicolano Martyrs whose deaths led to a civil guard revolt that was pivotal in the end of Spanish rule in Camarines Sur.

Lacierda pointed out that Aquino had been celebrating Independence Day outside Metro Manila since he was elected in 2010.

“He’s been moving around the country to show—to highlight the contribution of the regions’ contribution in the struggle for independence,” the spokesperson said.

As president, Aquino spent his first Independence Day celebration in Kawit, Cavite.  In 2012, he went to Malolos, Bulacan. It was in 2013 that he commemorated the event at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

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