Manila, Feb. 16 -- Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III on Monday led the House of Representatives in paying its final institutional tribute to former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., honoring the only lawmaker in the chamber's history to serve five terms as presiding officer and crediting him with steering it through defining political and economic transitions.

The necrological service at the House plenary hall gathered four former speakers along with senior national leaders from different administrations in a rare show of unity that reflected the depth of De Venecia's influence across political lines and generations.

In his eulogy, Dy repeatedly referred to De Venecia as "Tito Joe," a reflection of both personal respect and the enduring impri...