The dead body of Daniel Cañete, 44, was discovered by a female employee reported for work at his flower shop shortly before 7 a.m.
Police said Cañete may have fought with his attacker as shown by the stab wounds found on his hands, body and legs.
Drawers inside his leased flower shop space were already opened but police said there were no signs of forced entry.
Cañete lived in Tagonol in Talisay City, about 12 kilometers south of Cebu City but would often sleep in his flower shop.
His eight employees, mostly floral arrangers and errand boys, last saw him alive when they left work on Saturday.
Police are looking at robbery as a motive of the crime and may also invite Cañete’s teenage boyfriend for questioning.