Former Senate President Manny Villar paid tribute to former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., describing him as a consensus-builder whose love for country guided his decades in public service.

In a farewell message titled “Paalam, Manong Joe,” Villar recalled working alongside de Venecia during a critical period in Philippine politics, when he was Senate President and de Venecia led the House of Representatives.

“When I served as Senate President while he led the House, we stood on opposite ends of the same hall, but our purpose was united: to move the country forward despite politics, personalities, or pride,” Villar said.

Villar described de Venecia as a leader driven by an “unshakeable love for the Philippines” and one who consistently sought common ground amid political differences.

“Joe believed that the highest duty of a public servant was to find the space where all sides could meet, where progress could begin,” he emphasized.

As Speaker, de Venecia was known for his ability to bring together lawmakers across party lines and transform disagreements into workable solutions.

“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 noted.

Villar also highlighted de Venecia’s command of data and policy detail, noting his enthusiasm in presenting economic and legislative figures during debates and discussions.

“You could never outnumber Joe de Venecia,” Villar said, recalling his former colleague’s mastery of statistics and issues ranging from trade to energy.

Beyond the legislative halls, Villar said de Venecia’s leadership was rooted in pragmatism and hope.

“For him, service was not a posture but a practice—steady, pragmatic, and always anchored in hope for our people,” he said.

Concluding his message, Villar said the country was bidding farewell not only to a statesman but to “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.”

“Paalam, Manong Joe at Maraming Salamat!” Villar concluded.