Angeles city mayor lauds renaming of Hall of Justice, Jose Abad Santos

By Joelyn G. Baluyut

Friday 6th of July 2012

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, July 6 (PIA) -- Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan lauded yesterday the renaming of the newly refurbished Hall of Justice in honor of the great Kapampangan Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos.

In a speech, Pamintuan disclosed that “the new justice hall of Angeles is in due recognition of Abad Santos who stood and died for our country.”

“This hall will certainly add history and prestige to the Angeles City Hall grounds, which we are slowly developing into a one-stop-shop complex where our people can transact business and seek justice and redress their grievances,” he added.

Also, with the completion of this establishment, the Angeles City government will be addressing the other needs of the Angeles Regional Trial Court (RTC), particularly on the need for more judges who will help speed up the resolution of cases.

The Mayor then assured that, “ Angeles is sensitive to and is fully aware of the importance of an effective and efficient administration of justice in the service of our people.”

Meanwhile, Pamintuan led the unveiling of a new monument of the former of Chief Justice, in whose honor and memory the hall have been named. The markers were signed by the Mayor and RTC Angeles City Executive Judge Omar Viola.

Abad Santos was the fifth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and served as Acting President of the Philippines during World War II.

On April 11, 1942, he and his son José Jr. were captured by the Japanese. He identified himself as the chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Abad Santos and his son were taken to a concentration camp. When asked to cooperate with the Japanese, he refused. Although he had nothing to do with military operations, they imputed to him the destruction of the bridges and other public works in Cebu.

Before he was shot to death, he told his son, "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." (CLJD/JGB-PIA3)