Medialdea to represent Duterte at Independence Day rites in Luneta — Palace

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea will represent President Rodrigo Duterte at the 122nd Independence Day celebration to be held in Luneta on Friday, Malacañang said Thursday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said the President is still in Davao City but his message to the nation will be played after the flag raising and wreath laying rites at the shrine of Dr. Jose Rizal.

The Palace earlier said the event would be limited to only 10 people.

“‘Pag nandiyan ang Presidente, dadami po ang tao ang nais lumapit sa kanya. Di po maiiwasan ‘yan, kahit saan po tayo mag-celebrate, sa Luneta o sa Davao, ‘yan po ang problema,” Roque said.

Mass gatherings are currently prohibited to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, which has killed at least 1,000 people in the Philippines.

Roque had also advised people planning to hold mass protests to coincide with the celebration of the Philippine independence to express their sentiments instead on social media. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News