House honors De Venecia

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February 13, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted a resolution  honoring the late speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.

A memorial service will be held on Feb. 16 at the plenary hall.

Lawmakers expressed condolences to the family of De Venecia, the longest-serving speaker who headed the House for the entirety of the Ramos presidency as well as the Arroyo administration.

De Venecia died on Feb. 10 of still unspecified cause. He was 89.

Citing his role as an “architect of political unity,” the resolution recalled how he had unified seven diverse political parties into the “Rainbow Coalition.”

The resolution noted his leadership in co-founding the political party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.

Politicians from across the political spectrum have paid their last respects to De Venecia.

Among those who visited his wake at The Heritage Park in Taguig were former presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Joseph Estrada as well as former speakers Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Martin Romualdez.

Other officials who paid their last respects include Senate President Tito Sotto III, Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia and former vice president Jejomar Binay.

President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte sent flowers for the late speaker.

De Venecia’s remains will be brought to Dagupan City on Saturday and at the House of Representatives on Monday.

He will be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Feb. 18. – EJ Macababbad