THE family of former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. has released the schedule of his interment services as tributes pour in for the former lawmaker.
De Venecia, known as “JDV” and “Manong Joe” to friends and colleagues, died on Tuesday at the age of 89.
A social media post by his widow, Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Georgina Vera Perez-de Venecia, said the former speaker’s remains will lie in state at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City from Feb. 11 to 13, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Holy Masses will be offered at 7 p.m. on those dates.
His remains will then be brought to the Simbahan na Bato Annunciation of the Lord Parish in his hometown of Dagupan City from Feb. 14 to 15.
The House of Representatives will host its former leader on Feb. 16 with a memorial and necrological service before the body is brought back to Heritage for the continuation of the wake until Feb. 17.
De Venecia’s remains will be interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
De Venecia’s former running mate, former president and current Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, described him as a “longtime colleague and a partner in public service.” The two ran in 1998, with de Venecia for president and Arroyo for vice president.
”In the years that followed, he served as speaker for most of the time that I was president. During those years, we worked closely — sometimes amid difficult national choices — but always with a shared commitment to democratic institutions, political stability and the country’s long-term interests,” Arroyo said.
She said de Venecia understood the central role of Congress in governance and believed deeply in dialogue, coalition-building and consensus.
”He brought to public life a rare combination of political skill, institutional memory and international perspective. The Philippines has lost an iconic political figure whose influence on our political life will be felt for generations. May he rest in peace,” Arroyo said.
Former Senate president Manny Villar said he admired de Venecia as a leader who could truly get things done.
”His steady hand and gift for consensus helped the administration by steering key national initiatives, and his efforts toward peace in Mindanao showed his genuine love for our people,” Villar said.
House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan said de Venecia was instrumental in his work as a lawmaker during his time as Eastern Samar representative in the 12th and 13th Congresses.
”I learned the value of prudent decision-making, firm resolve and integrity in crafting laws,” Libanan said.
The House Young Guns, composed of Representatives Paolo Ortega, Jay Khonghun, Zia Alonto Adiong, Ernesto Dionisio and Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, said de Venecia steered the lower chamber through profound political upheaval, economic reform and institutional evolution with extraordinary skill, strategic vision and an unwavering commitment to democratic principles.
”We, the younger generation of legislators, are forever indebted to his example,” they said.