Senators say goodbye to former senator ‘Lone Ranger’. Osmeña in obituary rites

RETURN TO PLENARY ROOM: Guards of honor escort the remains of former Senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña to the Senate plenary hall in Pasay City on Thursday, March 4, 2021, where his former colleagues paid tribute to him. Nicknamed the “lone ranger” for his “independent mindset and courageous attitude despite overwhelming odds,” Osmeña passed away last month at the age of 86. Also in the photo are Senate President Vicente Sotto III (center) and Osmeña’s son, John Henry Gregory. (Henzberg Austria / Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate honored former Senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña at an obituary service Thursday, remembering his life and legacy as a “fearless” and “generous” public servant.

Osmeña, who was given the nickname “Lone Ranger” during his time in the Upper House for his independence in Senate affairs, died in his condominium unit in Cebu City on February 2 at the age of 86. years.

The cause of his death has yet to be revealed, but his staff said he was immediately cremated. In July 2020, Osmeña tested positive for COVID-19, but she soon recovered.

Grandson of the late President Sergio Osmeña Sr., Osmeña served as a senator of the Philippines from 1971 to 1972, 1987 to 1995, and 1998 to 2004.

The late senator was returned to the Senate gallery in an urn in accordance with government protocols on holding wakes during the coronavirus pandemic.

The first person to speak her eulogy was former Senator Nikki Coseteng, who had worked with Osmeña in the Senate during the 11th Congress.

“How do you say goodbye, say goodbye, to someone who seemed immortal and whose voice and laughter will always resonate in all shapes and forms for those who know, knew and loved him?” Coseteng opened. “How do you say goodbye to someone like Sonny who looked like he was going to live forever?”

Coseteng detailed the late senator’s accomplishments and how hard he worked as a public servant. He recalled their countless accomplishments and the memories they had together.

From being one of the victims of the Plaza Miranda attack in 1971 and going into exile to another country, to being diagnosed with colon cancer, to contracting and surviving COVID-19.

“In fact, he had been through a lot in his time. Sonny worked hard, he fought hard and he played hard, ”he said.

A friendship that transcended politics

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon highlighted the strong friendship and bond that he and the late senator had.

“I will always be grateful for our friendship that transcended politics, that remained strong through the years,” he said.

Like Coseteng, Drilon recalled Osmeña’s contributions as a public servant. He also recalled the lessons he learned from the late senator.

“I learned from Sonny how to provide fiscal space in the budget to fund projects that legislators deemed necessary to be funded,” Drilon said, adding that Osmeña’s solutions to certain problems demonstrate how “brilliant” and “experienced” he had. as a politician.

Drilon also recalled the moment when Osmeña called him to be by his side and provide comfort at a critical moment in his time.

“I remember when he underwent angioplasty, he personally asked me, along with Judy Araneta-Roxas, to be there to care for him and provide comfort during that crucial time in his life,” he said.

“This gesture says a lot about our friendship,” he added.

A complex, loving and generous man

John Gregory “John-John” Osmeña, son of the late senator, who was present during the neurology service, thanked the Senate, especially Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Drilon and Coseteng for their praise.

SOTTO DELIVERS RESO TO THE OSMEÑA FAMILY: Senate President Vicente Sotto III (2nd, right) delivers Senate Resolution No. 85 to the son of former Senator John Henry Osmeña, John Henry Gregory, expressing the Senate’s deepest condolences and condolences for the passing of his father, who passed away last month at the age of 86. John O, as he was popularly known in the Senate, was dubbed the “Lone Ranger” for his “independent mindset and fearless attitude despite overwhelming odds.” Also in the photo is the Secretary of the Senate, Myra Marie Villarica (right). (Voltaire F. Domingo / Senate PRIB)

The young Osmeña described his father as a generous man who had helped many people in the past, a fact that he said had not been shared with the public before.

“He would help accident victims by sending them to the hospital in his vehicle with a blank check to cover expenses, never asking for recognition or reimbursement,” he said. “He did this not once or twice, but repeatedly.”

He went on to tell a story about a pregnant woman, whom the late senator once helped when he was in a hospital in Negros. The son of the same woman, John said, “grew up to be the man who cared for my father in his last days.”

That was a testament to the late senator’s unpublished virtues, he said.

“Johnny ‘Sonny’ Osmeña was a complex man. He was a loving father, a generous friend, an impeccable senator, and a humble humanitarian. We will miss him, ”said his son.

EDV

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