ANGELES CITY — Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan has recently led the city government in honoring the late former Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos in wreath-laying ceremonies held at the Museo Ning Angeles and in front of the Hall of Justice. Pamintuan also sponsored a film showing on the life of the 5th chief justice of the country at the Marquee Mall cinema.
“CJ Jose Abad Santos was a patriot and true nationalist. He refused to cooperate with the invading forces during the Second World War. His final words to his son Pepito were the epitome of his greatness, ‘Do not cry, Pepito, show to these people that you are brave. It is an honor to die for one’s country. Not everybody has that chance.’I hope all of us especially the youth will learn from his example,” Pamintuan said.
Aside from being chief justice, Abad Santos also briefly served as the Acting President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and Acting-Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during World War II, on behalf of President Manuel Quezon after the government went in exile to the United States. He was executed by the Japanese forces for refusing to cooperate during their occupation of the country.
Republic Act Nos, 7552 and 8815 declared May 7 of every year as a Special Non-Working Day in the entire Province of Pampanga and the City of Angeles in honor of Abad Santos.
