José Abad Santos y Basco was the fifth chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He briefly served as the acting president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and acting commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during World War II, from March 1942 until his execution. Japanese forces killed him for refusing to cooperate during their occupation of the country.
Official portrait, c. 1941
José Abad Santos (seated from left) in 1935
Chief Justice of the Philippines
The chief justice of the Philippines presides over the Supreme Court and is the highest judicial officer of the government of the Philippines.
As of April 5, 2021, the position is currently held by Alexander Gesmundo, who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte following the early retirement of his predecessor, Diosdado Peralta, in March 2021.
Chief Justice of the Philippines
Portraits of the chief justices at the Supreme Court Building
The chief justice's judicial chambers
Reception room for the Office of the Chief Justice