MANILA, Philippines – Jose de Venecia Jr., the statesman from Pangasinan who led the House of Representatives during the entire administration of Fidel V. Ramos and for the most part of the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo presidency, has died at 89.

His family confirmed his passing on Tuesday, February 10, saying: “As we mourn his passing, we give thanks for a life that helped shape the Philippine republic — and for a legacy that endures in our laws, our institutions, and our continuing pursuit of peace.”

Tributes began pouring in for the longest-serving House speaker of modern Philippine Congress, with former House speaker Martin Romualdez remembering the late statesman for his “brilliance, courage, and compassion” that “helped shape the soul of our nation.”

“He possessed the rare gift of seeing far beyond the horizon, and even rarer, the wisdom to bring others with him. As one of the founding fathers of Lakas — then popularly known as Lakas-NUCD — he helped build not just a political party, but a national movement rooted in unity, peace, and inclusive leadership,” read part of Romualdez’s statement.

De Venecia was the brains behind the Rainbow Coalition, which united numerous parties in the House from 1992 to 1998, to support the legislative agenda of Ramos, who won the 1992 presidential election with a low plurality vote.

He became the continuity candidate in the 1998 presidential election, shocking experts who saw De Venecia as a survey laggard and expected another loyal lieutenant, former defense chief Renato de Villa, to get Ramos’ blessing. He ultimately lost the race to Joseph Estrada by a landslide.

De Venecia returned to elective office as congressman in 2001, and subsequently regained his post as speaker of the House during the administration of Arroyo, who was installed president after the second People Power ousted Estrada.

He remained speaker until 2008, following a successful coup by congressmen who said they had lost confidence in De Venecia’s leadership. De Venecia believed Arroyo had a hand in his ouster.

De Venecia finished his term in 2010. Post-speakership, he was appointed special envoy for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.

His family, in a statement, touted the legacy of their patriarch, from his peace efforts, to the passage of landmark legislative measures, such as 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.

De Venecia leaves behind his wife Gina, who currently represents Pangasinan’s 4th District, and six other children, including former congressman Christopher. – Rappler.com