Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., a towering figure in Philippine politics who led the House of Representatives for a record five terms, died on Tuesday, February 10. He was 89.
The veteran statesman, often referred to by his initials “JDV,” passed away in Makati, Metro Manila. His death marks the end of a prolific political career that spanned several decades, during which he became the longest-serving Speaker in the country’s modern history, holding the position from 1992 to 1998 and again from 2001 to 2008.
De Venecia was a central architect of the Lakas-CMD party and a key ally to former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was widely recognized for his “rainbow coalition” strategy, which consolidated disparate political factions to pass landmark economic and social legislation.
Beyond the halls of Congress, De Venecia was a seasoned diplomat and peace advocate. He played a pivotal role in brokering peace agreements with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and military rebels in the 1990s.
He also founded the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) to foster regional cooperation.
In 1998, he launched a bid for the presidency but finished second to Joseph Estrada. His later years as Speaker were marked by a high-profile break from the Arroyo administration following the NBN-ZTE scandal, leading to his ouster from the speakership in 2008.
He is survived by his wife, Gina de Venecia, and his children, including former Representative Christopher de Venecia. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced by the family.