Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. passes away at 89

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Jose de Venecia Jr. passed away at 89 years old on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

De Venecia served as Speaker of the House from 1992 to 1998 and from 2001 to 2008. Also known as JDV or Manong Joe, De Venecia was a native of Dagupan City, Pangasinan. He was born on Dec. 26, 1936.

He served for seven terms in the House of Representatives. He was the longest-serving Speaker in the post-war Congress having served for five terms.

De Venecia was credited for organizing the Rainbow Coalition, an alliance of ideologically diverse political parties.

He authored landmark laws including the Dollar Remittance Program, Bases Conversion and Development Act, Build-Operate-Transfer Law, Philippine Economic Zone Act, and the New Central Bank Act.

De Venecia was also instrumental in advocating for global peace and cooperation and interfaith dialogue, having supported or organized the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace, and the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council.

The De Venecia family said in a statement that De Venecia was a "beloved husband, father, grandfather, and patriarch who devoted more than six decades to public service as a journalist, diplomat, entrepreneur, legislator, 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,” the family added.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri praised De Venecia saying, “It was from him that I truly learned how to be a consensus builder. A large part of my leadership style came from him.”

Zubiri added that De Venecia’s style of listening first before deciding, left a lasting impression on his style of public service.