LEONARDO
R. OSORIO (1873-1929)
LEONARDO
R. OSORIO, the third governor of Cavite during the American regime, belonged to
the old school of Filipino public officials who spent their own money to
promote public welfare. Income from their positions was merely secondary to
them- definitely not a source of wealth as in the case of many public officials
after World War II. What was primary and important to officials like Osorio was
the benefit they could render to the public.
Coming
from a wealthy family, Osorio was born on November 6, 1873, the son of Antonio
Osorio Tan-Quinco, who established the Chinese Cemetery in Cavite, and Petrona
Reyes. He studied in the Ateneo de Manila, then a small but exclusive boarding
school for scions of rich families. He was married to Dolores del Rosario of
Sta. Cruz, Manila. During his incumbency as governor of Cavite, Osorio spent
his money to aid indigent families and prisoners in the provincial jail.
In
1920 Osorio joined the first Philippine Independence Mission to the United
States headed by Senate President Manuel L. Quezon. Unsuccessfully in his bid
for the Philippine Senate in the 1924 elections, he retired from politics and
devoted his time to business, civic and social activities. When he died on
August 3, 1929, the province gave him full honors and laid him to rest in the
Chinese Cemetery. He was survived by five children; namely Mariano O. Vda de
Ysmael, Estrella, who died in 1943, Leonardo, Jr., Natividad O. Aguinaldo, and
Tomasa O. Linck.
(Sources:
Biodata furnished by Osorio’s daughter, Natividad, and released by Governor
Remulla’s office.)