PAMPANGA Vice Governor Lilia Pineda and Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo led the wreath-laying rites before the monument of Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos in commemoration of the hero's 80th death anniversary.
The event honoring the Kapampangan martyr and patriot was held at the Capitol grounds and attended by local officials.
Pineda said honoring Abad Santos reminds Kapampangans that they are of noble and patriotic heritage and that courage should not just be shown during times of oppression.
Abad Santos, a native son of San Fernando, was the fifth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and served as acting president of the Philippines during World War II. He was executed by the Japanese military on May 2, 1942 after he refused to pledge allegiance to the Japanese government during their invasion of the Philippines in the early 40s.
Congress, by virtue of Republic Act No. 7552, enacted May 7 as a regular holiday in Pampanga to pay tribute and honor Abad Santos.