Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. was honored yesterday by the Senate for his illustrious career and his invaluable contributions to both national governance and international diplomacy.
The Senate passed a resolution co-sponsored by Senators Loren Legarda, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Joel Villanueva, and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, celebrating De Venecia’s unprecedented five terms as Speaker of the House of Representatives and his role in shaping modern Philippine politics.
De Venecia, affectionately known as JDV, is credited with establishing the “Rainbow Coalition” in the House, which helped stabilize the country during the post-Martial Law era. The coalition facilitated the passage of over 200 key laws under President Fidel V. Ramos’ administration, covering economic, political, and social reforms.
In addition to his legislative achievements, De Venecia co-founded the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), a political party that ruled for over 15 years, with him serving in various leadership capacities. His legislative legacy includes significant laws such as the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law, which fostered public-private partnerships, and the Military Bases Conversion Law.
The resolution also recognizes De Venecia’s efforts on the global stage, particularly his mediation in peace talks with various groups, including Muslim separatists and Communist rebels. He also advocated for initiatives like the Interfaith Dialogue at the United Nations, which aimed to resolve political and religious conflicts.
As a proponent of climate action, De Venecia co-chaired the International Ecological Safety Collaborative Organization (IESCO). His advocacy for Asian integration led to the creation of several organizations, including the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), which unites political parties across 52 countries.
For his efforts, De Venecia has received numerous awards and honors, including the French Legion of Honor and recognition from various foreign governments and institutions. He continues to influence international peace and cooperation through organizations such as the Asian Parliamentary Assembly and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace.
