CEBU, Philippines — Former Cebu Governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña, Jr. has passed away last night, his son Mimo confirmed in a post on Facebook. He was 82. “So long Dad! You will always be part of us. Thank you is not enough!” Details about his death were not yet available as of press time.
The grandson of President Sergio Osmeña, Sr., Lito was governor of Cebu from 1988 to 1992 during which he earned the reputation of being the architect of the province’s economic boom or popularly known as Ceboom.
Among his notable projects include the Cebu Transcentral Highway and the Cebu Business Park in Cebu City, home to Ayala Center Cebu and several BPO companies.
He founded the Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives (PROMDI) Party under which he ran for president in 1998 but lost to Joseph Estrada.
He used former President Fidel V. Ramos’ chief economic adviser from 1993 to 1997 where he chaired the Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects. Among the projects he supervised include Mactan Cebu International Airport and the Bohol Circumferential Road in Bohol Province. (FREEMAN)