By Anthony Giron and Freddie C. Velez
Kawit, Cavite/City of Malolos, Bulacan — The 120th Independence Day celebration today is expected to be led by President Duterte in Kawit, Cavite – the site of the historic declaration by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898.
A simultaneous ceremony celebrating the event will be held at the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan – seat of the first Philippine Republic – to be led by Senator Richard Gordon.
The National Organizing Committee (NOC) of the 120th Independence Day celebration invited the President to lead at the Aguinaldo Shrine as guest of honor and speaker for the event, themed “Kalayaan 2018: Pagbabagong Ipinaglaban, Alay Sa Masaganang Kinabukasan.”
There will be a simultaneous wreath-laying at the Aguinaldo Tomb and flag-raising at the Shrine veranda at 8 a.m., with local and provincial officials led by Governor Jesus Crispin Remulla, the descendants of General Aguinaldo, agencies’ officials and other luminaries also gracing the event.
At the same time, Sen. Gordon will be joined by Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado; Engr. Larry Cruz, representing Executive Director Ludovico Badoy of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP); and officials and employees of the local government in the wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of Aguinaldo in Malolos.
Alvarado said that Bulakenyos should not forget the sacrifices of our heroes that paved the way to achieve independence.