Malacañang on Rizal Day: Fight for freedom from all ills of society

In celebration of Rizal Day on Sunday, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo encouraged Filipinos to continue the fight in pursuing freedom against all the ills of society.

“In these challenging and crucial times, we need equally courageous and principled Filipinos, stripped of apathy and selfishness, to become modern-day heroes to sustain our fight for freedom from all the ills of society,” Panelo said.

He also said the legacy of the life and death of the country’s national hero Dr. Jose Rizal is a walking testament to one’s magnificent and consuming love for his country that sparked a leap for freedom and an assertion of national dignity.

“More than one century has passed since his execution in Bagumbayan, but his influence on our nation’s evolution remains relevant today as it was 122 years ago,” he said.

The presidential adviser also asked the Filipino youth to take inspiration from Rizal and emulate his principle:

“It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a vision and fulfillment of a great ideal,” he said.

“Jose Rizal’s martyrdom should propel us to rise to the challenge of the times and unchain ourselves from our stupor of indifference and race to the finish line of genuine change and prosperity,” Panelo said.

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday morning led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument at the Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila.

The ceremony was held to mark the 122nd anniversary of the death of National Hero Jose Rizal.

President Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile, will lead the rite honoring Rizal at Rizal Park in Davao City on Sunday afternoon. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News