Duterte skips Independence Day rites, Medialdea represents

President Rodrigo Duterte will skip the Independence Day ceremonies at Rizal Park in Manila due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea will represent Duterte, leading the flag-raising and wreath-laying rites with a limited number of participants.

Duterte's taped message will be played during the ceremony instead of his physical presence.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has allowed the celebration but limited it to only 10 people to prevent mass gatherings.