The scheduled wreath-laying ceremony in Rizal Park for the Philippines' 125th Independence Day has been canceled on Monday, June 12 due to heavy rain.

As part of the annual tradition, the President is supposed to lead and offer the wreath at the Rizal Monument. This would have been President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos' first time since he was inaugurated in June 2022.

Following the announcement, all guests at the Rizal Park were transported to the Quirino Grandstand where the flag-raising ceremony was held.

FLASH REPORT: Seremonya sa Rizal Park ngayong ika-125 anibersaryo ng Araw ng Kalayaan, kinansela na | via RH14 @leth_narciso pic.twitter.com/n43O1KcfNB

— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) June 11, 2023

In his message for Independence Day, Marcos challenged Filipinos to assert their freedom every day.

“I challenge each of us: On the 125th year since the declaration of our freedom, let us assert our liberty day by day,” Marcos said.

“In everything we do, let us pursue excellence and integrity with the knowledge that we are living out the visions our predecessors held on to and the comfort they toiled for,” he added.