Legarda remembers Jose de Venecia Jr. as mentor and friend

Senator Loren Legarda paid tribute to former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., describing him as “a statesman of rare vision” during her co-sponsorship speech of Senate Resolution No. 297 on February 11.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to Manay Gina and the entire de Venecia family, who shared him with the nation for so many decades,” Legarda said, recalling his decades of service as a journalist, diplomat, legislator, and global advocate for peace.

Legarda emphasized his leadership as the longest-serving Speaker of the House of Representatives, where the House became a forum for bold ideas and national renewal.

Legarda further highlighted de Venecia’s initiatives for peace, noting that his conviction was that the Philippines must always be a bridge for understanding.

Beyond his accomplishments, Legarda shared her personal memories of de Venecia’s kindness and encouragement.

She recalled that even beyond his terms as House Speaker, he attended global forums to speak about peace and sustainable development, and that he took a keen interest in her early advocacy for climate resilience, when nobody else quite understood what it meant. Legarda shared that he would call her and say, “Iha, halika, paliwanag mo sa akin ito,” eager to learn more and engage with emerging issues.

“In 1998, when I first became a Senator—still learning to navigate the world of politics—he believed in me. He encouraged me to take the risk and quietly stood by me. I would not be here today if he had not given me that trust,” Legarda said.

She recounted how he would handpick her to join him in meetings and rallies, even when more veteran re-electionist senators could not make it, reminding her that politics is not about power for its own sake but about service and the responsibility to uplift lives.

According to Legarda, de Venecia believed that leadership was measured not by titles, but by the ability to inspire others to act with courage and conviction.

On a more personal note, Legarda shared that Representative Gina de Venecia asked her to say goodbye to the former House Speaker in his last hours. She recorded a short video message on her phone and sent it in the morning he passed away.

Legarda concluded by affirming that his legacy will endure in the leaders he inspired, the policies he championed, and the countless lives touched by his vision.

“Rest in peace, Manong Joe. Thank you for the trust, the guidance, and the friendship that I will forever honor. Your example will continue to light our path, and your memory will remain a source of strength for all who believe in the power of service and the promise of our nation,” she said. (30)

Legarda inalala si Jose de Venecia Jr. bilang tagapayo at kaibigan

Nagbigay-pugay si Senadora Loren Legarda kay dating House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., na kanyang inilarawan bilang “a statesman of rare vision” sa kanyang co-sponsorship speech para sa Senate Resolution No. 297 noong Pebrero 11.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to Manay Gina and the entire de Venecia family, who shared him with the nation for so many decades,” ani Legarda, habang inaalala ang ilang dekada ng paglilingkod ni de Venecia bilang mamamahayag, diplomat, mambabatas, at pandaigdigang tagapagtaguyod ng kapayapaan.

Binigyang-diin ni Legarda ang kanyang pamumuno bilang pinakamatagal na nagsilbing Speaker ng House of Representatives, kung saan naging bukas ang Kamara sa matatapang na ideya at pambansang pagbabago.

Ipinunto rin ni Legarda ang mga inisyatiba ni de Venecia para sa kapayapaan, na nakaugat sa kanyang paniniwala na ang Pilipinas ay dapat maging tulay ng pag-unawa.

Bukod sa kanyang mga nagawa, ibinahagi ni Legarda ang kanyang personal na alaala sa kabutihan at paggabay ni de Venecia.

Ikinuwento niya na kahit matapos ang kanyang termino bilang Speaker, dumalo si de Venecia sa mga pandaigdigang forum upang magsalita tungkol sa kapayapaan at sustainable development, at nagpakita ng interes sa kanyang adbokasiya para sa climate resilience noong panahong kakaunti pa ang nakauunawa nito. Madalas umano siyang tawagan ni de Venecia at sabihing, “Iha, halika, paliwanag mo sa akin ito,” tanda ng kanyang kagustuhang matuto at makibahagi sa mga bagong isyu.

“In 1998, when I first became a Senator—still learning to navigate the world of politics—he believed in me. He encouraged me to take the risk and quietly stood by me. I would not be here today if he had not given me that trust,” ani Legarda.

Ibinahagi rin niya kung paanong madalas siyang isama ni de Venecia sa mga pagpupulong at pagtitipon, kahit na mas maraming beteranong senador ang hindi nakadalo, upang ipaalala sa kanya na ang pulitika ay hindi tungkol sa kapangyarihan kundi sa paglilingkod at tungkulin na mag-angat ng buhay ng tao.

Ayon kay Legarda, naniniwala si de Venecia na ang pamumuno ay sinusukat hindi sa titulo, kundi sa kakayahang magbigay-inspirasyon sa iba upang kumilos nang may tapang at paninindigan.

Sa mas personal na bahagi, ibinahagi ni Legarda na si Representative Gina de Venecia ay humiling sa kanya na magpaalam sa dating Speaker sa kanyang huling sandali. Nag-record siya ng maikling video message sa kanyang telepono at ipinadala ito noong umaga ng araw ng kanyang pagpanaw.

Sa pagtatapos, binigyang-diin ni Legarda na ang pamana ni de Venecia ay mananatili sa mga lider na kanyang hinubog, sa mga polisiyang kanyang itinaguyod, at sa mga buhay na kanyang naantig.

“Rest in peace, Manong Joe. Thank you for the trust, the guidance, and the friendship that I will forever honor. Your example will continue to light our path, and your memory will remain a source of strength for all who believe in the power of service and the promise of our nation,” ani Legarda.
(30)