Senator Camille Villar pays tribute to 'Tito Joe' de Venecia: He elevated the practice of public service

Senator Camille Villar, the country's youngest senator in the 20th Congress, paid tribute to former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. who passed away on February 10 at the age of 89.

She shared a personal recollection, recalling how she came to know De Venecia as “Tito Joe” during her childhood, when her father was serving as a congressman in 1992.

“To me, more than a statesman and diplomat — he was simply Tito Joe, an inspiring and nurturing figure to us since my father was a congressman in 1992, I was seven years old," she said in a statement.

De Venecia served as Speaker of the House of Representatives five times, an unprecedented record: from1992-1995, 1995-1998, 2001-2004, 2004-2007 and 2007-2008. He was also the head of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats Party.

According to the Eude Business School, De Venecia is also Founding Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), composed of more than 330 political parties in 52 countries in Asia.

Villar's father, former Senator Manny Villar, had also served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1998 to 2000. He was senator from 2001 to 2013. His two children — Camille and Mark Villar, are both currently serving as senators.

In her statement, Villar said, “Having served in Congress myself, I witnessed how the institutions, traditions, and legislative culture he helped shape continue to guide the work we do today.”

Villar said De Venecia's "legacy is not only written in the laws passed during his tenure, but in the enduring strength of our democratic processes and the spirit of dialogue and cooperation he championed.”

Villar described de Venecia as a consensus builder and a stabilizing force during critical periods in the nation’s political history, citing his ability to bridge political divides.

“Speaker Joe de Venecia was always a consensus builder, a leader who listened to his people and came up with a solution for everyone,” she said.

Beyond his legislative achievements, Villar said de Venecia helped foster a culture of principled leadership and reinforced respect for democratic institutions, the effects of which remain evident in Congress and in governance reforms.

 She called on her fellow public servants to emulate de Venecia’s example of leadership, dialogue, and integrity.

She described De Venecia as a leader who helped “steady democracy and elevate the practice of public service.”

“May his life continue to inspire those of us entrusted with the responsibility to lead — to build bridges instead of walls, to listen before we speak, and to serve with integrity and conviction,” she said.

Villar also extended her condolences to de Venecia’s family, particularly his wife, former Pangasinan 4th District Representative Maria Georgina Vera Perez-de Venecia, and their children Sandra, Leslie, Vivian, Joey, Pangasinan 4th District Representative Christopher “Toff” de Venecia, Carissa, and Felipe.

Meanwhile, the Upper Chamber adopted Senate Resolution No. (SRN) 38, honoring the life and legacy of the late former House Speaker, a venerable statesman and a pillar of the House of Representatives.

Members of the upper chamber took the floor to honor and express their gratitude to De Venecia—a consensus builder whose influence extended far beyond the walls of Congress and reached into the international arena as a champion of inter-parliamentary diplomacy.

The resolution also expressed the chamber’s deepest sympathies and condolences on the passing of the five-time Speaker of the House of Representatives.

-Paraluman News