House bids farewell to unifier, peacemaker ex-Speaker JDV

The House of Representatives paid tribute to its longest-serving Speaker, former Pangasinan lawmaker Jose De Venecia Jr. on Monday, lauding his legacy as the ultimate consensus builder and peacemaker for the greater good.

Former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, a party-mate of De Venecia in the Lakas-CMD, said the late lawmaker was a founder, builder, and unifier.

“As Speaker for five terms, he transformed this institution. Under his leadership, the House became what it ought to be: a forum where every legislative district—every island, every province, every city—had a voice at the table. He believed that the strength of the Republic was measured not by the dominance of a few, but by the participation of all,” Romualdez said.

Likewise, Romualdez said de Venecia made his indelible mark with the Rainbow Coalition.

“Rainbow coalition is a phrase that will forever belong to him. But the Rainbow Coalition was not merely a political strategy. It was a philosophy of governance. It was the recognition that in a democracy as diverse as ours—Christian and Muslim, North and South, majority and minority—progress is achieved not by exclusion, but by consensus,” he said.

“Speaker Joe is a visionary who understands that the Philippines must not only participate in the international community, but help shape it. Long before interfaith dialogue became a global imperative, he was already advocating unity among Christians, Muslims, and believers of all traditions. He opened channels of communication between governments and insurgents. He believed that faith, properly understood, is not a source of conflict, but a bridge toward peace,” he added.

(Photo from the House of Representatives)

Former Speaker and Las Piñas Rep. Manny Villar said De Venecia was determined to move the country forward despite politics, personalities, or pride.

“Joe had an unshakeable love for the Philippines—a love that always drove him to find common ground. Joe believed that the highest duty of a public servant was to find the space where all sides could meet, where progress could begin. As Speaker and leader of 250 members of Congress, Manong Joe distinguished himself most brilliantly as a consensus-builder. He had a rare ability to see beyond pride and politics, and he used that gift to turn disagreement into dialogue, and dialogue into action,” Villar said.

“He built bridges across the aisle, and across continents, because he understood that the Filipino dream was larger than any quarrel or ambition. And of course, we all remember Manong Joe’s unmatched command of numbers and superlatives. He could summon statistics faster than anyone in the room—figures about the economy, trade, population, energy, or the achievements of the House—always with that infectious enthusiasm. You could never outnumber Joe de Venecia,” he added.

Villar said that for de Venecia, service was not a posture but a practice.

“Today, as we say farewell, we honor not only a statesman but a true patriot who spent his life proving that love of country is best measured by one’s willingness to listen, to reconcile, and to carry on,” Villar said.

Grateful

Former Speaker and Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. also honored de Venecia as an exceptional leader, statesman, diplomat, husband, father, and dear friend.

“Last December, I attended Joe's 89th birthday. I was very happy to have celebrated his last birthday with him, together with a few of our former colleagues, and surrounded by those whom he loved, and who loved and respected him as much. None of us who were present then ever thought he would be gone too soon,” Belmonte said.

“Indeed, his 89th birthday celebration, we’re almost of the same age incidentally, was a significant change from the necro services, two more recent ones of which were for the late Carlos Mapili Padilla and the late Edcel Lagman, whom we both admired and respected. Thus, sadly as I heard of Joe's passing, I thought of how fleeting life is, and how truly grateful I am, for all the times I was privileged to work alongside him and be considered his friend,” Belmonte added.

In an era often marked by division, Belmonte said de Venecia was a proponent of inclusivity and mutual respect.

“He often reminded us that our responsibility as leaders is to listen as much as we speak, to build bridges, and to foster understanding among all Filipinos. Thus, the “Rainbow Coalition” that started during his speakership became the benchmark for all the Speakers that were elected after him, myself included,” said Belmonte, who was Speaker during the 15th and 16th Congress (2010 to 2016).

“As we remember and reflect upon his legacy, it is essential that we carry forward his ideals. Let us continue to strive for the values he championed—peace, integrity in governance, compassion for those we serve, and a relentless commitment to progress,” Belmonte added.

For former Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, who served as the running mate of de Venecia in the 1998 presidential elections, he was the guy who would always deliver when the nation needed it the most, such as pushing for P10 billion government relief for the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption victims.

“I saw this firsthand in 1992.  It was his first term as Speaker and my first as Senator. While Pampanga, Tarlac,  and Zambales struggled under the weight of the Mount Pinatubo eruption, Joe bypassed the usual calls for momentary charity. He led the legislation for a P10 billion allocation for the relief, recovery, and rehabilitation of the Pinatubo victims— an audacious sum at the time. It restored hope to millions in Central Luzon and the prosperity that my province of Pampanga enjoys today,” Arroyo said.

“Joe and I ran together in 1998. Campaigns test not only stamina.  They reveal character. In that campaign, I saw in Joe a leader of strategic vision— optimistic about the Philippines, deeply invested in its future, unwavering in his belief that dialogue, institutions, and structural reform matter. But beyond the strategist and statesman was the human being. Joe was warm and accessible. In remembering Joe, let us remember as a core memory his unwavering belief in the power of dialogue over division. Now, God has granted Joe his well-earned rest from his political endeavors for the Filipino nation. Farewell, Joe. Rest in peace—and thank you,” Arroyo added. —LDF, GMA Integrated News