The late Senator John Henry "Sonny" Osmeña. (Photo courtesy of Ferliza Calizar Contratista)
CEBU CITY – Former Senator John Henry "Sonny" Osmeña passed away Tuesday afternoon inside his residence in Cebu City. He was 86.
This was confirmed by his sister, Annie Osmeña-Aboitiz.
Osmeña’s remains were immediately cremated. His family has yet to announce the cause of death.
In 2020, the former lawmaker revealed that he had recovered after being infected with the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Osmeña, considered as a seasoned politician, belonged to one of Cebu’s most influential political families, being a grandson of the late president Sergio Osmeña Sr.
He started his political career serving as Cebu City councilor and vice mayor in the 1960s and was later elected to the House of Representatives.
He served as a senator for three terms from 1971 up to 2004.
The Cebuano lawmaker also served in the lower chamber of Congress from 1969 to 1971, and from 1995 to 1998.
His recent political stint was serving as mayor of Toledo City, a third-class city located southwest of the capital, from 2013 to 2019.
Osmeña was repeatedly cited as the wealthiest local chief executive in Cebu.
One of the notable laws that Osmeña authored is Republic Act 7638, which created the Department of Energy. (PNA)
