Vicente S. Del Rosario, Cebu City mayor

The son of revolutionary hero, Pantaleon del Rosario (a street in Cebu City is named after him) who served as deputy to the governor, Juan Climaco became mayor of Cebu City.

Vicente, served as Cebu City mayor from 1946 to 1947, appointed by post war president, Manuel Acuna Roxas. He was again inducted into office as city mayor on April 9, 1953, with Atty. Carlos Cuizon as his vice mayor by President Elpidio Quirino, who swore him at the Plaza Independencia. He held the position until December 6, 1953, replacing him was Dr. Jose Chiong Veloso Rodriguez. President Quirino, the man who appointed del Rosario lost the presidency in the November 10, 1953 for his reelection.

In Administrative Order 43, Mayor Vicente was exonerated by allegations of irregularity and graft. A special committee composed of Assistant Solicitor General Carmelino Alvendia and 1st Assistant City Prosecutor Agustin Montesa was tasked to investigate the complaints. The order exonerating Mayor Vicente was approved by President Manuel A. Roxas on August 23, 1947 with his Executive Secretary Emilio Abello. Among the many complaints is that he appointed one Jose Sanchez as detective allegedly a pimp, another allegation is that Mayor Del Rosario together with his driver, Baltazar Reyes, assaulted Assistant City Treasurer Arvisu.  All the allegations were squarely answered and the committee recommended for the dismissal of the complaints.

Vicente was born on May 8, 1905 and married Ceferina Urquiaga, the first woman councilor of Cebu City. They had three children, Pantaleon, Carlos and Manuel. A grandson, son of Pantaleon carries his name, Vicente B. del Rosario.

Mayor Vicente entered into a contract with the City Government on August 24, 1984 with then mayor, Atty. Ronald Duterte for the sale of its property in Mambaling called "Asinan" now called "Alumnus." After the People Power Revolution in 1986, the agreement was not honored by the OIC Cebu City Mayor, John Henry Osmeña. It was said that it was politics that caused the controversy.

Historically, the first del Rosario in Cebu politics (Pantaleon del Rosario) battled an Osmeña in the July 23, 1922 election for a Senate seat. In that election del Rosario lost against Osmeña. Don Sergio Osmeña earned 24,218 votes against Pantaleon del Rosario with 12,586 votes.

Pantaleon del Rosario was with the Partido Democrata of Cebu and Osmeña was with the Nacionalista.

Vicente del Rosario died on May 9, 1987, but before his death, he joined in the Freedom Marches in protest against President Ferdinand Marcos. He lived to witness the overthrow of the Dictator in 1986.