MAYNILA — Pumanaw noong Martes, Pebrero 10, sa edad na 89 ang dating House Speaker na si Jose de Venecia Jr., ayon sa anunsyo ng kanyang pamilya.
“With heavy hearts, our family announces the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and patriarch, former Speaker of the House Jose C. de Venecia Jr.” wika ng pamilya sa isang pahayag.
Dagdag pa nila, “For more than six decades, Speaker de Venecia devoted his life to public service — as journalist, diplomat, entrepreneur, legislator, Speaker of the House, and global advocate for peace. As we mourn his passing, we give thanks for a life that helped shape the Philippine Republic — and for a legacy that endures in our laws, our institutions, and our continuing pursuit of peace.”
Inanunsyo rin ng pamilya na ang mga detalye para sa wake at libing ay ilalabas sa lalong madaling panahon.
Si de Venecia ay nagsilbi sa pitong termino bilang kinatawan ng Pangasinan sa House of Representatives, at naging Speaker ng Kamara sa limang termino. Siya rin ang pangunahing may-akda ng Dollar Remittance Program, Bases Conversion and Development Act, Build-Operate-Transfer Law, Philippine Economic Zone Act, at New Central Bank Act.
“He championed landmark legislation that transformed the Philippine economy, strengthened democratic institutions, and uplifted millions of Filipino families, including overseas workers,” ani ng pamilya.
Nagbigay rin ng pag-alala si Martin Romualdez, presidente ng Lakas-CMD at dating Speaker, sa kanyang kaalyado at matagal nang partido stalwart. Tinukoy niya si de Venecia bilang “a man of brilliance, courage, and compassion” na tumulong sa paghubog ng kaluluwa ng bansa.
“Under his steady hand, Congress became a workshop of reforms and a sanctuary of consensus. His vision for a Rainbow Coalition was revolutionary at the time—and yet, it worked, because he made it work. It was his gift: to bring people together across ideologies, faiths, and even continents,” sabi ni Romualdez sa isang hiwalay na pahayag.
Ilang senador din ang nagpahayag ng kanilang pakikiramay sa pamilya ni de Venecia.
Para kay Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, isa si de Venecia sa kanyang mga “idol” sa politika, matapos siyang magsilbing Secretary General ng Lakas-CMD noong panahon ni Zubiri bilang national president at bilang key leader ng grupo ni de Venecia sa House sa ika-12 at ika-13 Kongreso.
“Today, I mourn him not just as a former Speaker, but as a great mentor who helped shape who I became in public service. As we say goodbye, I carry with me the lessons he quietly taught by example, and I offer my prayers for the eternal repose of his soul,” sabi ni Zubiri sa plenary session.
Ayon naman kay Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, si de Venecia ay isang mataas na personalidad sa politika ng Pilipinas, naalala sa kanyang pananaw, diplomasya, at dedikasyon sa paglilingkod publiko.
“We remember not only the offices he held but the ideals he embodied. May his example continue to inspire future generations to choose dialogue over division, vision over discord, and service over self-interest,” dagdag ni Escudero.
Sinabi ni Senator Joel Villanueva na parang ama sa kanya si de Venecia noong siya’y baguhang kongresista sa ika-12 Kongreso.
“Despite our political differences, he was magnanimous and gracious to those of us in the minority, for which I am truly and eternally grateful,” ani Villanueva.
Tinukoy din ni Senator Loren Legarda si de Venecia bilang “a true statesman who was way ahead of his time.”
“What I will remember most is not his titles, but the sincere words of encouragement, the genuine guidance, and the way he made you feel that your work and your voice mattered,” sabi ni Legarda.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
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