By LIEZLE BASA IÑIGO
Dagupan City is mourning the passing of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Mayor Belen T. Fernandez announced on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
“With deep sorrow and profound gratitude, we bid farewell to former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.—a five-time Speaker of the House, a statesman of national stature, and above all, the foremost son of Dagupan,” Fernandez wrote in a social media post.
She recalled Speaker de Venecia’s pivotal role in guiding Dagupan through its darkest chapter—the aftermath of the devastating 1990 earthquake.
“Speaker Joe stood firmly with Dagupan when we needed help the most,” the mayor said, citing his leadership and authorship of vital national funding that became the cornerstone of the city’s rehabilitation.
On behalf of the city government and its people, Mayor Fernandez extended heartfelt condolences to the de Venecia family.
“Maraming salamat, Speaker Joe. Dagupan will forever remember,” she added.
