Senators, with a heavy heart, honor the life and death of former Senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña, who passed away in his condominium unit in Cebu City on February 2, 2021. Osmeña’s body was immediately cremated while the cause of his death was still being determined. He was 86.
In a fitting tribute, the Senate passed Senate Resolution No.635, in consideration of Senate Resolution No. 636, expressing “the profound sympathy and sincere condolences of the Senate” on the death of Osmeña, who served the Senate from 1971 to 1972, 1987 to 1995, and 1998 to 2004.
All senators present were made co-authors of the resolution.
“The demise of a great legislator and esteemed public servant, who had served as senator both under the 1935 and 1987 Constitution, is a great loss not only to his bereaved family but to the nation as well,” stated the resolution, which was authored by Sanate President Tito Sotto III, Senate President Pro-tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, and Senator Lito Lapid.
Osmeña’s death shocked senators as the country is still mourning the death of another great lawmaker, the late Sen. Victor S. Ziga, who succumbed to heart and multiple multi-organ failure at the age of 75 last January 31.
Incidentally, both Osmeña and Ziga were members of the post-Marcos 8th Congress from 1987 to 1992.
In July 2020, Osmeña tested positive for COVID-19 but soon recovered. He was also diagnosed with stage 2 cancer after losing his reelection bid for the mayorship of Toledo City, Cebu.
Sotto, in his sponsorship speech, said Osmeña was born to lead, and “even mastered it along the way.”
“As a matter of fact, public service was his calling as he started to be in the government as such a young age and continued to be one until his passing,” the veteran legislator said.
“He was a great leader in his own right.”
“Coming from a well-known political family, being the grandson of the late President Sergio Osmeña Sr. And a nephew of former Sen. Sergio Osmeña Jr., it could be surmised that a lot of pressure were put on him to be able to follow the footsteps of his grandfather, or leave a lasting legacy, like his ancestors did,” the seasoned lawmaker said. “But certainly that was not the case for Sen. Sonny Osmeña. He made a name for himself. He was a great leader in his own right.”
He said the demise of a “true public servant” whose principles and achievements “are worth emulating but hard to duplicate.”
Zubiri described Osmeña as a “dedicated public servant and an advocate of sincere, competent and responsive governance.”
“So Mr. President, we asked our dear colleagues and distinguished institution to accept this simple resolution, as well as for the family to accept our sincere condolences for the death of a great Visayan,” Zubiri said.
“As a senator, Osmeña was a fierce debater and stood by his principles.”
Senator Dick Gordon, who authored PSR 636, said Osmeña, as a senator, was a “fierce debater and stood by his principles.”
“He also showed passion for the advancement of communications, technology and energy, sponsoring a number of development-oriented bills,” Gordon said.
As a senator, Osmeña served as Senate President Pro-Tempore (1996-2000), and as chairman of the Committees on Finance, Energy, and Government Corporation and Public Enterprises.
Osmeña, known as the “Lone Ranger” for his independent mindedness and taking a fearless stance despite overwhelming odds, was a known graft-buster in the Senate. He founded and organized the “Samahan Laban sa Graft (SALAG)” and spearheaded the Senate investigations of many irregular and anomalous government transactions, including the so-called Petroscam, and those involving the Philippine Airlines and the Philippine Ports Authority, among others. His exposes have led to the resignation of corrupt government officials.
Osmeña was responsible for the creation of the Department of Energy (DOE), under Republic Act No. 7638, after his Senate Bill was signed into law by President Fidel V. Ramos in 1992.
He sponsored among others, a number of development-oriented bills like the Municipal Telephone Act (Republic Act 6849) whereby each municipality will a get a telephone system; the Mini-Hydroelectric Program (RA 7156), which will provide non-conventional electricity in the countryside; the Public Telecommunications Act of 1995 (RA 7925), and the creation of the Philippine Postal Corporation (RA 7354). He also authored landmark bills like the Electric Power Crisis Act (RA 7648) and the Electric Power Reform Act of 2001 (RA 9163), among others.
A third generation member of the famous Osmeña political clan of Cebu, Sonny started out as Cebu City Councilor in 1963, became the Vice Mayor of the same city in 1968 and was elected to the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District the year after.
He was the grandson of former President Sergio Osmeña, the brother of former Cebu Governor Emilio Osmeña, and the cousin of former Senator Sergio Osmeña III and former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
In 1970, he was named as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the country for his exemplary performance in Government Service.
In August 21, 1971, Osmena’s both legs were badly injured after two grenades exploded at the Miting De Avance of the Liberal Party on Plaza Miranda, killing 11 and leaving scores of people wounded.
Osmeña was born on January 17, 1935 to Emilio Osmeña and Ma. Louisa Renner, both of Cebu. He was married to Lucy Urgello with one son, John Gregory Jr., former Vice Governor of Cebu.
He earned his mechanical engineering degree from the University of San Carlos and further studies at the University of the Philippines (UP) and the International Social Development Institution in The Netherlands.