WHEREAS, the anniversary of the execution of Jose Abad Santos, jurist, patriot, and martyr, falls on May 2, 1963;

WHEREAS, there is justification for the belief that he is the outstanding Filipino martyr in the Second World War and his martyrdom ranks beside those of Dr. Jose Rizal and Fathers Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora; and

WHEREAS, his martyrdom will remain forever as an inspiring symbol of the purest ideals of the Filipino people;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Diosdado Macapagal, President of the Philippines, pursuant to the authority vested in me by section 30 of the Revised Administrative Code, do hereby declare Thursday, May 2, 1963, as a special public holiday throughout the Philippines.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 20th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and sixty-three.

DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL
President of the Philippines

By the President:

SALVADOR L. MARI O
Executive Secretary