Camille Naredo

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Government officials, colleagues, family members and friends gathered on Wednesday for the first night of the wake of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig.Tributes also poured in from political leaders, colleagues as they remembered de Venecia as a statesman, peacemaker and devoted family man.De Venecia, a five-time Speaker of the House and veteran lawmaker, passed away Tuesday at the age of 89. According to his family, he died due to health complications brought about by old age. No further details were disclosed. Among those who paid their respects were former House Speaker Martin Romualdez; Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Migz Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Mark Villar and Kiko Pangilinan; Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia; former Vice President Jejomar Binay; former Senators Cynthia Villar and Mar Roxas; actress Helen Gamboa and her daughter, MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto; former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos; and former Congressman Mikey Arroyo.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/10/-former-house-speaker-jose-de-venecia-jr-passes-away-1358">Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. passes away </a> </div>His wife, Pangasinan 4th District Representative Gina de Venecia, expressed heartfelt gratitude to supporters and constituents who have extended their condolences to their family. “Una sa lahat, nais ko pong magpasalamat sa lahat ng mga kaibigan natin. Kahit mga hindi natin nakikita mga constituents sa amin sa Pangasinan, and all over the Philippines, nakikiramay sa aming mahal na asawa na si Former Speaker Jose De Venecia,” she said.She reflected on her husband’s decades-long political career, noting his historic tenure as a five-time Speaker of the House of Representatives spanning nearly 15 years. “I think he has touched many lives, because he was a five-time speaker of the House, almost 15 years and he was a peacemaker. Pinagsama-sama niya ang mga fragmented political parties during the time of President (Fidel) Ramos and he was called the rainbow man, the rainbow coalition,” she said.De Venecia was instrumental in uniting fragmented political parties during the Ramos administration, forming what became known as the “Rainbow Coalition.” Under his leadership, key pieces of legislation were passed benefiting overseas Filipino workers and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to name a few. He also championed landmark measures such as the Central Bank Act, the Foreign Service Act, and the Bases Conversion and Development Act (BCDA), which paved the way for the transformation of Fort Bonifacio into what is now Bonifacio Global City. “Marami siyang nagawa because he was a great man, a global Filipino,” Rep. De Venecia added.Beyond politics, she described her husband as a loving and faithful partner who always made her feel valued despite the demands of high office.“Napakabait niyang asawa, he was gave me priority, and kahit busy siya, talagang pinakita niya sa akin at pinadama ang kanyang pagmamahal… nakasulat doon, sinusulat niya he cannot live without me, he was so happy, sabi niya I gave him new beginnings and mahal na mahal niya ako,” she shared emotionally. “He was the wind beneath my wings, he allowed me to grow.” Comelec Chairman Garcia, who served as legal counsel to the De Venecia family early in his career, also paid tribute.“I have a lot of fond memories with them. He is a builder of peace, of nation and he is a total politician,” Garcia said. Former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo described De Venecia as a towering figure in Philippine politics.“Legendary yan, magaling, mabait, caring, generous na tao. Alam mo sa politika, magkakasama kahit magkakalaban kaya kahit minsan hindi kami magkapartido eh magkakasama pa rin kami,” Panelo said.Singer and businessman Jose Mari Chan, a longtime acquaintance, recalled first meeting De Venecia in 1974 when both were honored among the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/11/house-files-resolutions-honoring-legacy-of-former-speaker-jose-de-venecia-1720">House, Senate honor legacy of former Speaker Jose de Venecia </a> </div>“His award was for government service, my award was for the field of arts,” Chan said. “I feel sad that he is gone, but he lived a good age. God must have loved him and I know he is resting in peace. He was warm, friendly, and most importantly, honest gentleman.”The remains of De Venecia will lie at state at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig until February 13. On February 14 and 15, his remains will be brought to the Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, where he was born and raised. The House of Representatives is also set to hold a memorial and necrological service at the House of Representatives on Monday, February 16, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. After the ceremony, his remains will be returned to Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig.Both the House and the Senate have passed resolutions expressing condolences to the De Venecia family and honoring his decades of service to the nation. For those wishing to pay their respects, the wake is open to the public from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Government officials, colleagues, family members and friends gathered on Wednesday for the first night of the wake of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig.

Government officials, colleagues, family members and friends gathered on Wednesday for the first night of the wake of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig.

Gov't officials, colleagues mourn passing of former Speaker de Venecia

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Gov't officials, colleagues mourn passing of former Speaker de Venecia

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 12, 2026 12:01 AM PHT

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Jose De Venecia

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