HALF-STAFF. Philippine flag in the Senate would remain at half-staff as senators, officers, and employees mourn the death of another veteran and beloved lawmaker, former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña who passed away at the age of 86 in his condominium unit in Cebu City Tuesday (Feb. 2, 2021). On Monday (Feb. 1), the Philippine flag was flown at half-staff to mourn the death of former senator Victor Ziga, who died of heart and multi-organ failure at the age of 75 on Jan. 31. (Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB)
MANILA – Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo offered condolences to the family of former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña who passed away on Tuesday.
In his commentary show Counterpoint aired on state-run PTV-4 on Wednesday, Panelo recalled the “colorful" life of Osmeña.
“Siya po’y naging senador, naging mayor din ng Cebu at siya po ay naging mayor din ng pa Toledo (He was a senator, he also became mayor of Cebu and mayor of Toledo),” he said.
Osmeña was a member of the Senate from the 7th Congress until the 9th Congress from 1970 to 1995, and again in the 11th Congress and 12th Congress, from 1998 to 2004.
He also served as Cebu City councilor in 1963, vice mayor in 1968, and representative of the city’s 2nd district the year after.
Osmeña was one of those who fought against the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos. After the declaration of Martial law, he went on exile in the United States.
He was the first political exile to return to the country following the assassination of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino on Aug. 21, 1983.
He was a third-generation member of the famous Osmeña political clan of Cebu, being the grandson of the late President Sergio Osmeña Sr.
Despite his old age, Panelo said Osmeña appeared to be “strong” during the last time he saw him in a mall in Cebu City some three or four years ago.
“I remember nung nagkita kami diyan sa Ayala mall ng Cebu, malakas pa siya e. He was wearing all white, ang kaniyang signature clothes. Meron siyang kinunsulta sa’kin e (when we met in Ayala mall of Cebu, he was still strong. He was wearing all white, his signature clothes. He wanted to consult with me about something),” he said.
Panelo extended sympathies to Osmeña’s friends, family, and loved ones and encouraged them to pray for the former lawmaker.
“Nakikiramay po tayo sa pamilya ng Osmeña clan at inaanyayahan natin ang kanyang mga kaibigan na ipagdasal natin ang kanyang kaluluwa upang ito’y panghabang panahon na in eternal peace (We extend our condolences to the Osmeña clan and we invite his friends to pray for his soul so that it will last forever in eternal peace),” he said.
Osmeña’s sister, Annie Osmeña-Aboitiz, said the former lawmaker and mayor died at 2:45 p.m. in his condominium unit in Cebu City.
The cause of death was undisclosed, but he “was immediately cremated” after his death.
Osmeña was first diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer in July 2019 and was receiving treatment.
In June 2020, he contracted the coronavirus disease but was able to recover.
He was able to go out and attend celebrations until Dec. 24, his former staff Ferliza Contratista said.
On January 9, he was hospitalized “for pain” but was discharged last January 16, a day before he turned 86. (PNA)
