JDV laid to rest

Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. was laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

The five-time Speaker was accorded military honors by the Armed Forces of the Philippines before his family joined the funeral march to the interment site.

Former House speakers and incumbent lawmakers attended the memorial service at the House of Representatives.

Among those present at the burial were Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

During the House memorial service, Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Ma. Georgina De Venecia thanked officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for granting her husband burial honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“This recognition humbles us and honors a lifetime of service to our nation," Rep. De Venecia said.

She also expressed gratitude to members of the international community who traveled to Manila to pay their respects, including Chung Eui-Yong of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, who previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“We are especially humbled by the presence of foreign dignitaries and friends from the international community who traveled all the way to Manila to pay their respects… Your presence not only is a gesture of diplomacy but a testament to the bridges of friendship and understanding that JDV spent his lifetime building,” De Venecia said.

A Mass was held earlier Wednesday morning at the Heritage Memorial Park, attended by Arroyo and Sen. Loren Legarda, among other officials.

De Venecia died due to health complications related to old age, his family said. He was 89.