Aquino to lead freedom day rites in Bulacan

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III is set to lead the 114th commemoration of Independence Day on June 12 (Tuesday) at the Barasoain Church in Bulacan.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a radio interview Sunday, maintained that June 11 (Monday) will not be declared as holiday.

"I will just reiterate that there are classes tomorrow (Monday). Our holiday is on Tuesday, the day when the Independence Day falls" she said.

She said that at 8 a.m. Tuesday, the President will be leading a flag-raising ceremony at Barasoain Church. It will be followed by a wreath laying activity at the shrine of national hero and first Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo also in Bulacan.

He is also expected to deliver his Independence Day speech while in the province.

Valte said the theme of the 114th Independence Day celebration is "Kalayaan: Pananagutan ng Bayan Para sa Tuwid na Daan (Freedom: The Accountability of a Sovereign Nation of Responsible Citizenry)."

"So expect that the President address will run along this line," she said.

After his activities in Bulacan, the President will go back to Malacañang to grace the traditional Vin d' Honneur with the diplomatic community.

Valte said the President might schedule several meetings in Malacanang in the afternoon of Monday. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)