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Friday, May 06, 2005
Saturday is Jose Abad Santos Day
By Albert B. Lacanlale and Reynaldo G. Navales
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — On Saturday will be a regular non-working holiday in Pampanga in commemoration of the 63rd death anniversary of Kapampangan martyr, Jose Abad Santos, who was executed by the Japanese in Malabang, Lanao in 1942.
Then Supreme Court Chief Justice, Abad Santos refused to swear allegiance to the invading Japanese even at the cost of his life. He is remembered for his famous words, “It is a rare opportunity to die for one’s country and not everybody has that chance.”
The City Government, led by Mayor Oca Rodriguez, would be spearheading the rites Saturday in honor of the hero.
City Administrator Fer Caylao said the ceremony is part of the City Government’s program, “Preservation of Heritage for Progress.”
Right after a wreath-laying at 7 a.m., Caylao said a group of students will be presenting at the City Hall a drama dubbed Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa, featuring Abad Santos’s life story.
Caylao added that they have also invited Senator Jamby Abad Santos Madrigal and other prominent personalities to grace the ceremony.
A martyr born
Abad Santos was born in San Fernando, Pampanga, on February 19, 1886, the sixth of the 10 children of Vicente Abad Santos and Torribia Basco.
When only 18, he went to America as a government pensioner to complete his education. He studied for sometime in the Santa Clara College at San Jose, California, and then enrolled at Northwestern University where he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He pursued further studies at the George Washington University, where he was granted the degree of Master of Laws. Upon his return to the Philippines, he became on December 1, 1909, a clerk in the Executive Bureau with a salary of P960 per annum.
On July 31, 1914, he was appointed assistant attorney of the Bureau of Justice, after which he became attorney for the Philippine National Bank (PNB). He was the technical adviser and ex-officio member of the first Independence Mission to the US in 1919. In 1922, he served for three months as undersecretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ), immediately after which he became the secretary.
Because of the Cabinet crisis under the Wood administration, he resigned on July 17, 1923. In 1926, he headed the Philippine Educational Mission to America. He resumed in 1928 the justice portfolio under Governor-General Stimson, which position he occupied until his appointment to the Supreme Court (SC) on June 18, 1932.
Abad Santos devoted the best years of his life to the public service. He was president of the Philippine Bar Association and of the Young Men’s Christian Association, member of the Abiertas House of Friendship, educational adviser of the Columbian Institute, and chairman of the board of trustees of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU). He was actively identified with the Protestant movement of the Philippines and was prominent in Masonic circles.
Prior to his execution, Abad Santos was asked by President Manuel L. Quezon if he wanted to go with him for the US or remain in the Philippines. He chose to stay.
“I prefer to remain, carry on my work here, and stay with my family,” Abad Santos was quoted to have answered to Quezon.
(May 6, 2005 issue)
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