Surgery planned for Osmeña, departure from city for a month ahead
Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmenya to Undergo Medical Procedures in October 2025
Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmenya is set to travel to the United States in October 2025 for two scheduled medical procedures. The 77-year-old political leader, who leads the Bando Osmenya-Pundok Kauswagan political group, has jokingly expressed uncertainty about his return date, indicating a careful recovery process.
Osmenya has a history of traveling abroad for medical care and has prioritized recovery over city matters during this latest treatment. One of the procedures will involve attaching a device to his skull related to his ear, while the other is a hernia operation, a complication from the removal of his urinary bladder in 2008 due to a cancer diagnosis.
Osmenya was diagnosed with stage 4 urinary bladder cancer in 2008, which led to the removal of his bladder, prostate, and 42 lymph nodes. He is now a cancer survivor, but the development of his hernia has necessitated medical attention. The hernia procedure requires follow-up checks three weeks later, making it impractical for him to travel back and forth.
During his absence, Phillip Zafra, Pro Tempore Officer and veteran City Councilor, will often take over. If Osmenya is temporarily incapacitated, the councilor who received the highest number of votes in the last election will serve as acting vice mayor.
Despite his health matters, Osmenya remains engaged in governance and continues to serve as the City Council presiding officer. He has addressed city concerns such as alleged mismanagement at the Manila Cebu Water District (MCWD). Osmenya, who wears a hearing aid due to difficulty hearing, has also been active in addressing city issues and addressing city concerns.
Osmenya plans to return to Cebu City in November, but the exact timing remains uncertain. He has expressed his commitment to a careful recovery process and his continued engagement in governance.
- Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmenya, in his 77th year, is set to undergo a hernia operation and attach a device to his skull related to his ear, as part of his health-and-wellness journey, a process that started with a battle against stage 4 urinary bladder cancer in 2008, which required the removal of his bladder, prostate, and 42 lymph nodes.
- In light of his medical conditions and planned procedures, Cebu City's Phillip Zafra, Pro Tempore Officer and veteran City Councilor, will take over governance while Osmenya is abroad for recovery.
- As the acting vice mayor during Osmenya's recovery period, Zafra will work alongside Osmenya, who maintains his dedication to the fitness-and-exercise and health-and-wellness aspects of aging, addressing city concerns and overseeing the presiding officer duties even while using a hearing aid.
