GMA guest at La Union Rizal Day ceremonies

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – President Arroyo will led the 112th Rizal Day celebration here today with full military honors and a flag-raising ceremony in front of the City Hall where the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal is located.

Mrs. Arroyo will be joined by top military and police officials led by AFP Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano and Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa.

Also joining the President during the 11:30 a.m. flag-raising and wreath-laying are La Union Gov. Manuel Ortega, Rep. Victor Ortega and San Fernando Mayor Pablo Ortega.

The President also led the celebration here last year but was held early in the morning.

After the Rizal Day rites, Mrs. Arroyo will hold a luncheon meeting with local officials at the provincial capitol before her private meeting with Bishop Artemio Rillera together with Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman Tito Sotto and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Dionisio Santiago.

A source said that the meeting has connections with the dismissal of the case about the discovery of a shabu laboratory in Bimmotobot, Naguilian, La Union because the Church was dismayed over the decision.