The Greatness of 5-Time Speaker Joe

 By Z.J R. Ortigoza

We all know the following names I jotted here: Michael Jordan with his six NBA rings, the iconic 11 Oscars' box-office hit Titanic, Nelson Mandela, Theodore Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill with their plum Nobel Peace Prizes, Michael Jackson and his 13 Grammys, Robert Frost’s four Pulitzers. 

These are some of the giant personas we think of when we hear G.O.A.T—the greatest of all time.

The visionary Five-Time House Speaker Jose Claveria de Venecia Jr. He is affectionately called by friends as JDV or Speaker Joe.

 But what about the visionary Jose Claveria de Venecia Jr. (aka JDV or Speaker Joe)? He might not be a household name in the same breath as those legends, but his legacy is undeniable, and his contributions have reverberated both locally and globally.

De Venecia is not just a former Five-Time Speaker of the House—he’s the brain behind those initiatives that have changed the course of our nation’s economies and politics.

Picture the following: The Rainbow Coalition, a political masterstroke that brought unity and stability to the country, that united a once fragmented political parties to pass legislative milestones in the halls of Congress. A peace deal with revolutionaries’ Muammar Gaddafi and Nur Misuari forged across the Sahara Desert where the cessation of on the bloody hostilities - where 120, 000 were killed in a cross fire -- with the government and the belligerent Moro people have ended. Over 200 laws passed under his leadership, including the vaunted Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law, which unlocked massive private sector investment in infrastructures, sparking an economic boom to the once dubbed as The Sick Man of Asia.

And oh lest I forget! That historic Dollar-Remittance Program the man endearingly called JDV’s brainchild. That chutzpah generated billions of pesos for the country’s coffer every year.

As I sit here writing this piece and nursing my hot cortado from a specialty cafe in a high-rise hotel in Bonifacio Global City, with views of skyscrapers that could compete with any first-world skyline, I’m reminded that this thriving urban district exists because of JDV’s Bases Conversion Development Act of 1992 (Republic Act No. 7227).

His vision turned former U.S. military bases into bustling economic zones—places like Fort Bonifacio, Clark Freeport, Subic Bay, and Camp John Hay—generating countless of jobs, attracting foreign investors, and transforming our country’s urban landscape for decades to come.

De Venecia’s legacy isn’t just written in the laws he passed or the deals he brokered—it’s woven into the very fabric of modern-day Philippines. If that’s not G.O.A.T material, I don’t know what it is.

In a world where legacies often fade into history, it's rare to see one’s powerful action literally carved in stone. Much like Moses chiseled the Ten Commandments, the visionary ideas and deep inimitable humanity of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. now have a permanent home at the newly inaugurated Jose de Venecia Building and Museum, nestled in the Batasan complex in Quezon City. 

At the heart of the ceremony, Speaker Martin Romualdez—the leader who steers the ship of the 307-strong House of Representatives—called De Venecia “a man of great ideas” and someone whose life was a testament to unity and compassion.

“As we dedicate this building to Jose de Venecia,” Romualdez said, “let’s commit ourselves to honoring his values: unity, compassion, and the relentless pursuit of peace and progress.”

Crafted and brought to life by Arc Lico, the building now houses a museum packed with images, artifacts, and memorabilia celebrating JDV’s extraordinary life. It’s not just a tribute—it’s a reminder of the power of leadership and vision.

The event saw the gathering of political heavyweights, including JDV’s wife, former Congresswoman Gina De Venecia, who is vying for a solon’s seat of the 4th District of Pangasinan, and their son, the Philippines’ Creative Industry’ champion and the outgoing Representative Christopher de Venecia. Also in attendance were Speaker Romualdez’s wife, Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, alongside other prominent figures like Reps. Ramon Ramon Guico, Jr., Mark Cojuangco, Rufus Rodriguez, and Ace Barbers—each one honoring a giant of Philippines’ politics.

“JDV isn’t just a mentor to us,” Romualdez shared. “He’s a towering figure whose wisdom, humility, and unwavering optimism remain etched in our hearts. His legacy is a force that continues to shape our nation and guide us in these uncertain times.”

Romualdez went on to describe De Venecia as a “rare force in Philippine politics—a diplomat’s precision with the passion of a patriot.”

It was clear: the man who helped shape modern Philippine politics, bridging divides with grace and strength, would forever be remembered as more than a politician—he was an architect of the future.

“Mabuhay ka, Speaker Jose de Venecia,” Romualdez concluded. “Your legacy isn’t just remembered—it’s lived. Every day, by the people you served and the nation you loved. The Philippines, and the world, are richer for having had you.”

As I wrap up this piece, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement to visit the museum that houses the legacies and stories of one of the Philippines’ most illustirious decorated statesmen. JDV’s legacy isn’t just something you read about in history books—it's something that continues to shape the present and inspire the future. He wasn’t just a leader of his time; he was a visionary who built institutions, shaped ideas, and inspired generations, both locally and globally.