The Grandfather and Grandson Senators of Cebu
Cebu had the privilege of Grandfathers whose grandsons like them were also elected as Senators of the Republic of the Philippines. The Philippine Senate was created by virtue of the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916 or the Jones Law named after its author Congressman William Atkinson Jones of the State of Virginia, United States of America.
The House of Senate was created years after the creation of the National Assembly created in 1906 by the Americans. The first leader of the Philippine Congress known then as the National Assembly was Don Sergio Suico Osmeña Sr., he was its Speaker from the time it was first convened in 1907 up to 1922 when he ran for the Senate.
In 1922, Don Sergio Suico Osmeña Sr. then Speaker of the House decided to run for the Senate to represent the 10th Senatorial District, he then won with Don Celestino Rodriguez (every Senatorial District has to elect two senators, the term was for three years, just like the Congress). In 1925, Don Sergio ran for reelection, this time the other Senator of the 10th Senatorial District was Don Pedro Rodriguez, both of them were reelected in 1928. In 1931, Don Sergio again ran for reelection, this time the other Senator of the 10th District was Manuel C. Briones, and both of them were reelected in 1934. Don Sergio then ran as Vice President of Manuel Quezon in 1935, the first Presidential Election in the country.
Don Sergio's grandsons like him were elected as Senators. First is, John Henry Renner Osmeña more known as Sonny, born on January 17, 1936. Sonny is the son of Dr. Emilio Chiong Veloso Osmeña, a Lt. Colonel of the USAFFE and a Patriot of World War II. Dr. Emilio was the son of Don Sergio Osmeña Sr.
Sonny was elected Senator in 1971 up to 1972 as the Senate was abolished by President Marcos when he declared Martial Law. Sonny was reelected in 1987 and served full term until 1995. He was reelected in 1998 and served up to 2004. He is presently the Mayor of Toledo City.
The next grandson of Don Sergio who like him became Senator is his namesake and son of his Junior, Sergio "Serge" dela Rama Osmeña III born on December 13, 1943. Serge was elected Senator in 1995 and served up to 2001. He ran for reelection in 2001 and served up to 2007. He ran for reelection in 2010 and is now seeking for reelection.
The other set of grandfather and grandson senators is the Sotto clan. Don Vicente Yap Sotto, who was elected Senator in November 1946 and served until 1950 (he died on May 28, 1950). Don Vicente like his brother, Don Filemon (both of them were lawyers) who also was elected Senator studied at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Don Vicente grandson and namesake, a son of his son by the name of Marcelino (a namesake of Don Vicente's father, also named Marcelino who married Pascuala Yap) by name of Vicente Castelo Sotto III (his mother is Dr. Herminia Castelo). Vicente more known as Tito was elected Senator in 1992, after serving Quezon City as Vice Mayor. Senator Tito Sotto is a multi-awarded bowler and earned gold medals for the country, this started when he studied at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Major in English. He composed the song, Magkaisa which became the EDSA theme in 1986.
Senator Sotto is presently running for reelection, he was reelected in 2010 after serving as chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board in 2008 up to 2010.
- Latest
