Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s eulogy for fellow Cebuano Sen. Sonny Osmeña (Part 2)

“He likewise authored the Amended Build-Operate-and-Transfer Law (RA 7718), which is a landmark measure. His name is also attached to energy-related laws, such as the Electric Power Crisis Act (RA 7648) and the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2000 or EPIRA.

I have known him, as well as by others, as a “lone ranger” because of his independent mindedness and fearless stance even if the odds were not in his favor. If he took a stand, he holds on to it no matter what. Truly, a man of conviction – that is what he is. Senator Sonny Osmeña is likewise fearless, and a fighter as proven by his strong stance against corruption through his initiative in conducting investigations on several government anomalous transactions – which led to the resignation of some public officials involved.

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 Maceda, Salonga, and Alvarez, just to name a few. For this reason, it is no doubt that Senator Sonny Osmeña served as a Senator with distinction.

As we pay our respects to the memory of the late Senator Sonny Osmena, we cannot but remember the great debt of gratitude we owe the Osmena family for being there, every step of the way, from the conception of our nationhood to its full realization. There’s always an Osmena 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.” (To be continued)