Estrada to join Pimentel, Davide in Luneta for Rizal Day rites

President Estrada will be seen in public for the first time with Senate President Aqulino Pimentel Jr. and Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. since the impeachment trial began when they raise the Philippine flag in front of the monument of Jose Rizal this morning.

Davide is presiding over Mr. Estrada’s impeachment trial, while Pimentel is one of the 21 judges who will eventually acquit or convict the Chief Executive.

Mr. Estrada and First Lady Luisa Ejercito Estrada will be assisted in the flag-raising ceremony by Pimentel, Davide, and Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella Jr., according to a program of the Rizal Day National Organizing Committee.

The Chief Executive will also lead government officials in laying a wreath at the Rizal Monument as part of the annual Rizal Day ceremonies at Rizal Park in Manila. Today is the 104th death anniversary of the national hero.

Vice President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo, who was the first Cabinet member to resign following the exposé of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, has no role in today’s Rizal Day rites as seen from the program prepared by Jaime Laya, chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and head of the 2000 Rizal Day National Organizing Committee.

During the administration’s first two years, Arroyo who was then secretary of social welfare and development, was part of the flag-raising ceremonies at Rizal Park.

Members of the Rizal Day organizing committee who will help the President and the First Lady raise the Philippine flag are: Education Secretary Andrew Gonzalez, co-chairman; Rogelio Quiambao, supreme commander of the Order of the Knights of Rizal; Pablo Trillana, chairman of the National Historical Institute; Gen. Angelo Reyes, Armed Forces chief of staff; Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta; Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Jejomar Binay; Manila Mayor Lito Atienza; and Antonio Mercado, director of the National Parks Development Committee.

Last Thursday, Mr. Estrada paid tribute to Rizal at the National Hero’s birth place in Calamba, Laguna.

In his speech before the people of Calamba, the Chief Executive vowed to carry on Rizal’s fight for equality among Filipinos by stepping up the administration’s anti-poverty programs to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor.

"We honor José Rizal as our National Hero because because he fought for the interests of Filipinos during the Spanish period," Mr. Estrada said in Filipino. "I am proud to continue what he has started because I have promised to uplift countrymen from poverty." – Marichu Villanueva