VM, Osmeña scion, call for unity

CEBU, Philippines — Acting Cebu City Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, along with one of the grandsons of the late President Sergio Osmeña Sr., called for unity amidst the continued struggles and divisiveness that hinder peace and progress.

“President Osmeña’s quiet strength, deep humility, and commitment to public service stand as a beacon for all of us who serve in government,” he said during yesterday’s observance of the former president’s 146th birth anniversary.

Hontiveros highlighted President Osmeña’s exemplary leadership in the face of great challenges including World War II.

“His steady hand, his ability to bring people together, and his wisdom in navigating the complexities of leadership continue to serve as an inspiration, particularly to those of us who have dedicated ourselves to public service. He demonstrated that leadership is not about power or prestige but about sacrifice, responsibility, and the pursuit of the common good,” Hontiveros said.

City Councilor Francis Esparis also quoted a message of President Osmeña on June 9, 1945 to the Commonwealth Government Congress that said, “let us get together in one mighty effort, let us set aside selfish considerations and forget petty differences."

“The strength of this message continues to be relevant until now. Despite differences which is natural in a democracy, I believe all of us must focus on one mighty effort and today that ... making the lives of our fellow Cebuanos better,” Esparis added.

One of the late president’s grandsons, Jose Antonio Osmeña, agreed, saying that while his grandfather may be very happy with such an elaborate commemoration including a gun salute and the traditional wreath-laying at his birth marker, he could also be a bit sad and worried with what is going in Cebu and the rest of the country at present.

“’Let us get together in one mighty effort, let us set aside selfish consideration, and forget petty differences. Only in unity can there be strength.’ So these are very powerful and relevant words of wisdom of Lolo Sergio my dear friends. We can reflect on this now, but more importantly we need to apply it, ato ‘ning practison, ato ning i-translate into our lives here and now. Not just reflect, but put it into practice. In order to attain unity, we have to make a mighty effort, see this Lolo Sergio emphasized ha "mighty", ang gipasabot mighty effort dili huyang, dili bare minimum. Ingon g’yud siya, we need to make mighty effort, maningkamot g’yud ta together, wa man siya niingon kita ra usa, ingon siya kitang tanan, together,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-7 paid tribute to Osmeña Sr. through a wreath laying ceremony at Camp Sergio Osmeña Sr.

Present during the event was another grandson of the former president, Mariano “Mimo” Osmeña, the son of the late former governor Emilio Mario “Lito” Osmeña.

Osmeña Sr., called the “Grand Old Man of Cebu”, is the first Cebuano to become the president of the Philippines from 1944 to 1946.

As per Republic Act No. 6953, September 9 of every year is declared a special non-working public holiday in the City of Cebu and the Province of Cebu with its component cities and a special working public holiday in the rest of the country.

For the holiday pay rules, if the employee did not work, the "no work, no pay" principle shall apply, unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or Collective Bargaining Agreement. For work done, the employee shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her basic wage on the first eight hours of work.

For work done in excess of eight hours, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 30% of the hourly rate. For work done during the special day that also falls on the employee's rest day, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 50% of the basic wage on the first eight hours of work.

For work done in excess of eight hours during the special day that also falls on the employee's rest day, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 30% of the hourly rate on said day. — Kristin De Dios and Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon