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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Former Speaker, MB columnist Joe de Venecia passes away

Former Speaker, MB columnist Joe de Venecia passes away

Published Feb 10, 2026 01:08 pm
Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.
Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.

Former House Speaker and Manila Bulletin columnist Jose de Venecia Jr. passed away Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. He was 89 years old.

De Venecia, popularly known as “Manong Joe”, Is survived by his wife Pangasinan Rep. Gina De Venecia, and children Christopher, Joey, Leslie Norton, Kristina Casimira Perez, Vivian Garcia, and Alexandra Haner.

He was born Dec. 31, 1936 in Dagupan City in Pangasinan, and studied at the De La Salle University-Manila, and Ateneo de Manila University.

De Venecia was one of the acknowledged stalwarts of powerhouse political party Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats (CMD).

In his final column for the Manila Bulletin last Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, De Venecia acknowledged that, “after decades of service as legislator, diplomat, entrepreneur, peace advocate, and five-time Speaker of the House – we never imagined that we would be granted the privilege of returning to where it all began.”

“In 2016, the Manila Bulletin extended that invitation, allowing us once more to engage the Filipino people through the written word. For this, we remain deeply thankful,” De Venecia wrote.

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