Senate Pres. Tito Sotto: There’s always an Osmeña casting his lot with the Filipinos in the important chapters of Philippine history.

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III: Tribute to the Osmeñas and Senator John Henry "Sonny" Osmeña

“There’s always an Osmeña casting his lot with the Filipino people along the important chapters of our nation’s history — from the end times of colonialism, to being a U.S. territory, a Commonwealth, up to the birth of the Republic of the Philippines and beyond.

“And when the going got rough, be it the Japanese Occupation, a presidential election, Martial Law, an assassination or People Power Revolution, an Osmeña would be there always for freedom and democracy, suffering the confines of prison or fighting from exile.

“An Osmeña may pass on and physically leave this earthly world, but their significant contributions in the building of our nation will forever remain.

"Sen. Sonny Osmeña authored development-oriented bills like the Municipal Telephone Act, whereby each municipality will have a telephone system; the Mini-Hydroelectric Program, which will provide non-conventional electricity in the countryside; and the Public Telecommunications Act of 1995, which revolutionized the country’s information and communications technology and even the creation of the Philippine Postal Corporation.

“On a personal note, I remember Sen. Sonny Osmeña as a simple person with no airs at all, in spite of his membership in an illustrious family. He likewise was someone who always has something to contribute to every discussion in the committee level or on the floor – whether the topic is popular or not. I could liken his wit to that of his contemporaries, like former Senators (Ernesto) Maceda, (Jovito) Salonga, and (Heherson) Alvarez, just to name a few. For this reason, it is no doubt that Senator Sonny Osmeña served as a senator with distinction.

“On behalf of the Senate and the Filipino people, we thank you and we will remember you for the good man that you were, and the inspiration that you have become for the Filipino youth and the generations to come.

“Your legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of the people, and your name will forever be etched in our country’s rich history."