MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday (December 29, 2025) led the commemoration of Rizal Day, emphasizing that knowledge and national unity remain the foundations of true freedom, as the country honored the life and legacy of national hero Dr. José Rizal.
In her Rizal Day message, the Vice President said Rizal’s writings and sacrifices continue to serve as a guiding light for Filipinos facing modern challenges. She stressed that freedom is not achieved solely through independence, but through an informed, united, and morally grounded citizenry.
“Rizal taught us that education sharpens the mind, while unity strengthens the nation,” Duterte said. “True freedom is realized when Filipinos work together, guided by wisdom, patriotism, and a shared commitment to the common good.”
She noted that Rizal’s advocacy for peaceful reform, critical thinking, and love of country remains relevant amid social divisions, misinformation, and global uncertainty. Duterte urged Filipinos, especially the youth, to study Rizal’s works not only as history, but as a source of values and inspiration for nation-building.
The Vice President also highlighted the role of education in empowering citizens, saying that an informed population is better equipped to defend democracy, uphold human dignity, and contribute to sustainable development.
“As we remember Dr. José Rizal, let us renew our responsibility to one another and to our nation,” she said. “Through knowledge, unity, and a deep love for country, we honor his legacy and move closer to the freedom he envisioned.”
Rizal Day is commemorated annually on December 30 to mark the execution of Dr. José Rizal in 1896, an event that helped ignite the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule.
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