Former Vice-Mayor Renato Osmeña Dies at 74

Former Cebu City Vice Mayor Renato V. Osmeña – a grandson of the late President Sergio Osmeña Sr.– passed away at 3 o’clock in the morning today, a few days after he accidentally slipped while playing golf in Danao City last week. He was 74 years old.

Cebu City Councilor Richard “Ritchie” Osmeña said his father expired at about 3:15 a.m. at the Cebu Doctors Hospital. The former vice mayor was subjected to an operation after the accident due to a fracture on his hip bone, but he failed to survive.

Former mayor Tomas Osmeña said his cousin was in good physical condition when he played golf at the Club Filipino Golf Course in Danao City last week, but unfortunately he accidentally slipped and broke a bone on his hip.

Renato, one of the children of Edilberto Osmeña – son of the former president — was elected councilor then vice mayor from 1998 to 2004. He used to head the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC).

Former mayor Osmeña said Renato was so effective of his task to instill discipline in the city’s traffic and police force.

Renato was fondly called “Ro” among his friends and political supporters. During Tommy Osmeña’s administration, Renato was given a full authority to manage the yearly Sinulog Grand Parade as the overall chairman of committees.

Even after his retirement from politics, Renato continued to serve as one of the directors of the Sinulog Foundation Inc.

“Daku siya nga kawad-on sa mga Cebuano,” former mayor Osmeña said, commenting to the death of his cousin.

Councilor Ritchie Osmeña said his father will be cremated tentatively either this coming Sunday or Monday. His body now lies at the Crystal Palace of the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Lahug.