By Leonardo Micua
Former five-term Speaker of the House Jose de Venecia Jr., a son of Dagupan and pride of all Pangasinan, was given a hero’s burial at noon on Wednesday, February 18, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery) in Taguig City, after a full funeral honor. He was 89, and in public service for more than six decades.
He was laid to rest in a mausoleum next to the grave of former President Fidel V. Ramos and former President Elpidio Quirino. Former Speaker De Venecia was the first Speaker to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
He was escorted to the final resting place by his wife, Rep. Gina de Venecia, and children: former Rep. Christopher de Venecia, Sandra Haner, Leslie Norton, Vivian Garcia, and Joey de Venecia. Carissa Cruz- Evangelista and Philip Cruz.
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Major Gen. Patricio Amata, Basilio, and Emil Yap of Manila Bulletin were also present.
Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corporation, Tessie Coson of SM, Rep. Benny Abante, former Rep. Ed Zialcita, former Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza, former Secretary Gabby Claudio, former Monetary Board Director Peter Favila and
former Rep. Lorna Silverio
Mayor Belen Fernandez, Vice Mayor Bryan Kua, and all Dagupan City councilors, traveled all the way from Dagupan, to attend former Speaker De Venecia’s funeral. A two-day wake was held in Dagupan City on February 14 and 15.
Those who condoled from other countries were Suos Yara of the national assembly of Cambodia, Dr. Nalinee Tavesin, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Thailand, and Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed.
A mass presided by Archbishop Socrates Villegas of the Archdiocese of Lingayen- Dagupan was held at the Heritage Memorial Park before the burial.
Pangasinan Fourth District Rep. Gina de Venecia, widow of the former Speaker, said: “My beloved husband Jose de Venecia Jr. did not belong to us alone. He did not belong only to Pangasinan but also to the Philippines. He belonged to the world.
“His voice for peace, dialogue and cooperation reached far beyond our shore and the love we have witnessed for many nations affirmed the breath and the impact of his life’s worth, ” Mrs., de Venecia said.