Former House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia Jr., a towering figure in Philippine politics and a long-time advocate for peace and development, has passed away, his family announced. He was remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and public servant whose career spanned over six decades.
De Venecia, better known by his initials JDV, served seven terms in the House of Representatives — five of them as Speaker, the longest-serving in the postwar Congress.
During his tenure, he authored landmark laws that shaped the country’s economy and governance, including the Dollar Remittance Program, the Bases Conversion and Development Act, the Build-Operate-Transfer Law, the Philippine Economic Zone Act, and the New Central Bank Act.
His legislative work benefited millions of Filipinos, including overseas workers.
A tireless peacemaker, De Venecia played a key role in historic agreements with the RAM-AFP-YOU in 1995 and the Moro National Liberation Front in 1996.
Beyond the nation’s borders, he promoted dialogue and cooperation through institutions he founded, such as the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace.
His efforts also extended to interfaith initiatives at the United Nations, strengthening the Philippines’ role in global diplomacy.
Leyte Representative and Lakas-CMD president Martin Romualdez paid tribute to De Venecia as a statesman and mentor.
“Speaker Joe was more than a public servant; he was a statesman in the truest sense of the word,” Romualdez said. “He helped build not just a political party, but a national movement rooted in unity, peace, and inclusive leadership.”
Romualdez also highlighted De Venecia’s impact on Congress and the international stage.
“Under his steady hand, Congress became a workshop of reforms and a sanctuary of consensus. He tirelessly championed interfaith dialogue long before it became a global agenda, making the Philippines a moral force in the international community,” he said.
De Venecia’s family and colleagues remembered him for his vision, wisdom, and dedication to public service. They said his legacy lives on in the laws he authored, the institutions he strengthened, and the generations of leaders he inspired.
Condolences poured in from across the country and the political spectrum, honoring a life dedicated to nation-building, democracy and peace.