CITY of San Fernando Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin is urging young Fernandinos to emulate the good qualities of Jose Abad Santos.
Lazatin told stakeholders who attended the book launching on the life of the late hero to practice equality, kindness and nationalism — traits that the hero had — in their daily life.
Lazatin was with City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago for the book launching of "Honor: The Legacy of Jose Abad Santos" of author Desiree C. Benipayo along with the movie premier of the movie on the life of Abad Santos over the weekend at SM City Pampanga.
“The life of Abad Santos is an inspiration that us in the current generation could emulate and draw ideas from,” Lazatin said. Lazatin added that Abad Santos, a Kapampangan, is a closer example that Kapampangans today can draw as role model.
Born and raised in San Fernando, Pampanga at the turn of the 20th century, Abad Santos was influenced by the struggles of war to become a protector of the innocent and devoted his early years studying to become a lawyer.
He accomplished his goal by practicing law, and later on, contributed his skills and wisdom through public service, achieving one of the cleanest and most outstanding careers in the history of Philippine government.
When World War II broke out in the Philippines, the Commonwealth government was forced to exile, and only Abad Santos remained as the delegate of President Quezon himself. He coordinated with the free authorities and the military in Visayas until he was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army in April 1942.
The Japanese interrogated Abad Santos persistently, but his incorruptible spirit never faltered. On May 1, 1942, he was executed in Malabang, Lanao Del Norte, Mindanao for refusing to collaborate with the Japanese.