Ranking members of the House of Representatives gave their sweet tributes to the late former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., whom they described as a "respected statement" and a "towering figure" in the country.

De Venecia, known as "JDV", "Manong Joe", and "Speaker Joe" to those who worked closely with him--passed away Tuesday, Feb. 10, and triggered widespread mourning in the lower chamber.

"The House of Representatives joins the nation in mourning the passing of former Speaker Jose C. De Venecia Jr.—a respected statesman whose vision helped shape modern Philippine democracy and whose leadership left an enduring imprint on the institution he once led," House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III said in a statement.

"His life of public service was marked by intellect, courage, and an undeniable devotion to the Filipino people," Dy, Isabela's 6th district congressman, said of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) chairman emeritus.

"Si Manong Joe ay hindi lamang naging Speaker ng Kapulungan; siya ay isang haligi ng institusyon at tagapagtanggol ng demokrasya sa mga panahong hinamon ang ating bansa ng matitinding pagsubok. Nananatiling buhay ang kanyang pamana sa mga repormang kanyang isinulong, sa diplomasyang kanyang isinabuhay, at sa mga lingkod-bayang kanyang hinubog at binigyang-inspirasyon. Itinuro niya sa atin na ang pagsisilbi sa taumbayan ay isang sagradong panata na humihingi ng pagpapakumbaba, kahandaan, at katapatan para sa kapakanan ng bayan," the Speaker said.

(Manong Joe was not only Speaker of the House; he was a pillar of the institution and a defender of democracy during times when our nation faced great trials. His legacy lives on in the reforms he championed, the diplomacy he practiced, and the public servants he guided and inspired. He taught us that serving the people is a sacred vow—one that demands humility, readiness, and fidelity for the good of the nation.)

House Minority Leader 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan, in a separate statement, recalled the time when De Venecia was his "classmate" in Congress.

"Kaisa ako ng sambayanang Pilipino sa taos-pusong pagluluksa sa pagpanaw ni former Speaker Jose de Venecia, isang haligi ng ating demokrasya at huwarang lingkod-bayan (I join the Filipino people in heartfelt mourning over the passing of former Speaker Jose de Venecia, a pillar of our democracy and a model public servant)," he said.

"Sa aking ikalawa at ikatlong termino bilang kinatawan ng Eastern Samar sa 12th at 13th Congress, naging mahalaga ang papel ni Speaker JDV sa paghubog ng aking paglilingkod bilang mambabatas. Sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno, natutunan ko ang halaga ng matalinong pagpapasya, matatag na paninindigan, at integridad sa paggawa ng batas," Libanan said.

(During my second and third terms as representative of Eastern Samar in the 12th and 13th Congress, Speaker JDV played an important role in shaping my service as a legislator. Under his leadership, I learned the value of wise decision-making, firm conviction, and integrity in lawmaking.)

He added of De Venecia: "Ipinagkaloob niya sa akin ang tiwala na pamunuan ang Committee on Justice noong 12th Congress at magsilbi bilang kaniyang secretary-general ng Lakas-CMD noong siya ang Presidente ng partido, mga tungkuling aking tinanggap nang may pagpapakumbaba at pananagutan."

(He entrusted me with the responsibility of chairing the Committee on Justice in the 12th Congress and serving as Secretary-General of Lakas-CMD when he was party president—roles I accepted with humility and accountability.)

For House quad-committee (quad-comm) 2.0 overall chairman, Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr., De Venecia is "a towering figure in Philippine public life whose decades of service helped shape the course of our democracy".

Abante said De Venecia "belonged to a generation of leaders who believed deeply in institutions—strengthening them, defending them, and using them as instruments for national progress".

"As the longest-serving Speaker in the post-war Congress, he presided over a House that passed landmark measures which opened the Philippine economy, empowered overseas Filipino workers, and laid foundations for long-term development. Many of the laws he championed continue to affect the daily lives of Filipinos today," he said.

"I had the privilege of serving as a member of Congress during Speaker de Venecia’s term as Speaker. During that time, he became more than a leader I served under—he was a mentor, a trusted adviser, and in many ways, a father figure," he added.

"His counsel and wisdom left a lasting imprint on me, as they did on so many who had the honor and privilege of working with him," shared Abante.

The preacher-solon further said: "As Scripture reminds us, 'Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.' In honoring Speaker de Venecia’s memory, we honor a life devoted to building institutions, pursuing peace, and serving the Filipino people."