Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her message during Rizal Day on Tuesday, December 30, the national hero's 129th death anniversary.

In her video posted online, Duterte honored Dr. Jose Rizal's works, which left to Filipinos the spirit of fearless love for the country and the dream of true freedom grounded in the light of knowledge.

The Vice President said Rizal's message was clear: “Ang kalayaan ay hindi lamang paglaya mula sa puwersang dayuhan, kundi pati na rin ang paglaya ng ating isip at damdamin mula sa pang-aabuso, pagkawatak-watak, at kasamaan.”

"Sa paggunita natin sa kanyang sakripisyo, manumbalik nawa ang ating lakas at tapang na manindigan para sa katotohanan at katarungan," said Duterte.
"Huwag nating hayaang mamatay ang diwa ng karunungan at pagkakaisa," she added.

Duterte noted that true and lasting change begins and comes from deep learning, moral integrity, and collective action within our communities and institutions.