CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— A life-sized monument of the late Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos is now being constructed in an island of Jose Abad Santos Avenue (Jasa) here.
This was disclosed by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Pampanga First Engineering District chief Engr. William Bustos, who said that the monument of Abad Santos is being in front of the former Paskuhan Village along Pampanga’s “Ayala Avenue.”
Bustos said the idea of setting up the monument came from Public Works Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, a native of Candaba town.
Yabut and his brother, former provincial Board Member Ric Yabut, went to Lanao early this year to inspect the site where Abad Santos was supposedly buried after his execution in efforts to exhume the heroes' remains.
Bustos said DPWH Regional Director Antonio Molano directed the district office to facilitate the installation of the monument for it to be unveiled to the public on May 5.
Dignitaries, businessmen and local government officials, according to Bustos, will be invited to witness the unveiling.
"This monument will constantly remind us about the heroism of Abad Santos and also educate the public why the former Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo
road was renamed Jasa," Bustos said.
As of Wednesday, the sculpture has been completed and its base is already being constructed.
Abad Santos was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during World War II, when Japanese invaders were advancing in Philippine soil.
He was appointed acting president when then President Manuel L. Quezon left for the United States.
Abad Santos was eventually arrested by the Japanese and was subsequently executed in Malabang, Lanao when he refused to swear allegiance to the
foreign invaders. (JTD)