John Henry Osmeña facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Henry R. Osmeña
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| Senator of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2004 |
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| In office June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1995 |
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| In office December 30, 1971 – September 23, 1972 |
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| 18th President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines | |
| In office June 29, 1999 – July 12, 2000 |
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| President | Joseph Estrada |
| Preceded by | Blas Ople |
| Succeeded by | Blas Ople |
| Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Cebu's 3rd District | |
| In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Pablo Garcia |
| Succeeded by | Antonio Yapha Jr. |
| Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Cebu's 2nd District | |
| In office December 30, 1969 – December 30, 1971 |
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| Preceded by | Jose Briones |
| Succeeded by | Crisologo Abines |
| Vice Mayor of Cebu City | |
| In office January 3, 1968 – December 30, 1969 |
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| Councilor of Cebu City | |
| In office December 30, 1963 – December 30, 1967 |
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| Mayor of Toledo | |
| In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Aurelio Espinosa |
| Succeeded by | Marjorie Perales |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Henry Renner Osmeña
January 17, 1935 Cebu City, Philippine Islands |
| Died | February 2, 2021 (aged 86) Cebu City, Philippines |
| Political party | Independent (2004, 2015–2021) |
| Other political affiliations |
UNO (2007–2009) NPC (1992–2007, 2012–2015) Liberal (1963–1992; 2009–2012) |
| Spouse | Lucy Urgello (separated) |
| Children | John Gregory Urgello Osmena |
| Alma mater | University of San Carlos (BS) University of the Philippines International Social Development Institution |
| Occupation | Politician |
John Henry Renner Osmeña (born January 17, 1935 – died February 2, 2021) was a well-known Filipino politician. People often called him Sonny Osmeña or just John Osmeña. He was the grandson of Philippine President Sergio Osmeña.
John Osmeña served as a senator for several terms. He was a senator from 1971 to 1972, from 1987 to 1995, and again from 1998 to 2004. He was the last senator still alive from the 7th Congress, which was the last Congress before martial law was declared in the Philippines.
He started his political journey in Cebu City as a city councilor in 1963. Later, he became the vice-mayor in 1967. The next year, he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines for Cebu's 2nd district. From 2013 to 2019, he also served as the mayor of Toledo, Cebu.
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Early Life and Education
John Osmeña was born on January 17, 1935, in Cebu City. His parents were Dr. Emilio Veloso Osmeña and María Luisa Renner. He had a younger brother, Emilio Mario "Lito" Osmeña Jr., who later became a governor of Cebu. His sister was Annabelle "Annie" Osmeña-Aboitiz, a real estate developer. His grandfather, Sergio Osmeña, was the fourth President of the Philippines.
John Osmeña studied mechanical engineering and earned his degree from the University of San Carlos in Cebu City. He also continued his studies at the University of the Philippines. He even went to the International Social Development Institution in the Netherlands for more learning.
Political Career Highlights
John Osmeña's political career began in 1963. He was elected as a councilor in Cebu City. Five years later, in 1968, he became the city's vice mayor. In 1969, he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines. He represented Cebu's 2nd district.
In 1970, he was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines. This award honors young people who have made great contributions to their country.
A Senator's Journey
In 1971, John Osmeña ran for the Senate. He was at a political rally for the Liberal Party in Plaza Miranda on August 21, 1971. During this event, a bombing occurred, and he was badly injured in both legs. Despite this, he won a Senate seat in the election.
When President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law on September 23, 1972, John Osmeña went to live in the United States. After former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino was assassinated in 1983, Osmeña was among the first political exiles to return. He came back to help in the fight against the Marcos government.
After the People Power Revolution in 1986, he was appointed to lead Cebu City temporarily. He was elected as a senator again in 1987. This was under the Lakas ng Bayan Coalition of President Corazon Aquino.
In 1992, he ran for vice president with Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. He later decided to withdraw his candidacy. Instead, he ran for re-election as a senator and won a three-year term in the 1992 election.
He served as a representative for Cebu's 3rd district in 1995. Then, he was elected as a senator again in 1998. During this time, he earned the nickname "The Lone Ranger." In 2001, during the impeachment trial of Joseph Estrada, he voted on a key issue.
John Osmeña ran for senator again in 2004 and 2007 but did not win. In 2010, he ran for mayor of Cebu City but also lost. He was elected as mayor of Toledo, Cebu, serving from 2013 to 2019. After that, he tried to become a representative for Cebu's 3rd congressional district but was defeated in 2019.
Important Laws He Helped Create
John Osmeña was known for sponsoring several important laws. These laws aimed to improve public services and energy in the Philippines.
Some of the laws he supported include:
- The Municipal Telephone Act (Republic Act 6849): This law aimed to provide a telephone system for every town.
- The Mini-Hydroelectric Program (RA 7156): This program helped bring non-traditional electricity to rural areas.
- The Public Telecommunications Act of 1995 (RA 7925): This law helped improve telecommunications services.
- The creation of the Philippine Postal Corporation (RA 7354): This law established the national postal service.
He also wrote important laws like The Electric Power Crisis Act (RA 7648) and The Build-to-Operate Act (RA 7718). These laws helped manage electricity supply and allowed private companies to build and operate public projects.
John Osmeña also authored the law that created the Department of Energy. This department is in charge of the country's energy plans.
Four of his bills were included in Republic Act 9136. This law is also known as The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2000. It aimed to modernize and improve the power industry in the Philippines.
Personal Life
John Osmeña married Lucy Miller (whose maiden name was Urgello) in 1969. They later separated. They had one son, John Gregory "John-John" Osmeña. Their son also became a politician, serving as a former Cebu vice governor and provincial board member. John Henry Gregory Osmeña is one of John Osmeña's grandsons.
In July 2020, it was announced that John Osmeña had recovered from COVID-19. He fought the disease for 20 days during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Sadly, John Osmeña passed away on February 2, 2021. He was 86 years old and died from complications after having COVID-19.
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John Henry R. Osmeña
