Ang Pahayagan

Up close with Joe DV

Even before he became 5th time Speaker of the House of Congress or Batasan Pambansa, I was already on a first name basis with the veteran politician from Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

Jose De Venicia, who recently died. It was on the early 70’s that I first met the young solon at the lobby of Manila Hotel where he was staying.

The Legislative building was still located at its old address where the Senate was also holding its session and office, hence the term lower and upper house. Joe DV, a former journalist and foreign affairs veteran was considered one of the rising star of the country, in the same league of Benigno Aquino, Raul Roco and the Osmena’s of Cebu.

In my book, Joe DV together with young banker Rey Orosa, can sell Luneta to foreign buyers due to their speech and articulation. Joe’s laws authored was the dollar remittance of overseas workers, BOT and other notable measures most specially the oil prospecting in the country. Together with family and business associates formed business venture first Basic Petroleum and later Landoil Corp. both engaged in the search of gas and oil in the Philippine seas.

So when the late Marcos Sr., abolish Congress by virtue of Martial Law, Joe DV devoted his attention to business and his world peace advocy. From Manila Hotel he moved his residency to Dasmariñas Village in Makati where the rich and famous congregate. I was a frequent visitor of Damariñas, was already with business staff of the Philippine Daily Express, as the Times-Mirror-Taliba of the Roces’s was closed down.

I continued my coverage of De Venecia’s business activities and me and Navarro of the Manila Bulletin were invited to cover the oil drilling of Landoil offshore concession area near Palawan. Aside from us, Mrs. Betty Benitez, wife of then Human Settlement Usec Benitez was also part of the party, she was Landoil vice president. Something happened after the onsite drilling activities, the plane supposed to pick up did not return and we have wait for another plane and instead flying directly to Manila, we were diverted to Cebu where we slept.

The late Louie Catubig, was Landoil PRman. He was not accustom to newsmen habits and needs. I complaint to Joe and offered me the job, but I refused, “told him that I considered my friend and if I accepted his job offer ad later on disagree with him, I have to resign and be jobless. So will stick to my work as newsman.

One memorable story I cannot forget was when we made a trip to Mariveles to check of the hotel business, Toti Barretto, the eldest brother of Frankie Barretto siblings was in charge of the hotel business, we decided to make a side trip to Olongapo stayed at Marmont . In the evening we dined at the Subic Bay Officers Club.

There were two female performers from London, were also billeted at Marmont, Joe the diplomat and gentlemen invited them for cocktails after their performance at Marmont. Toti who I only heard the late Eddie was truly an hotel man, staying for so long in Hong Kong, prepared a instant Bar at Joe’s room and was quick in preparations. I slept early and did not join the part 2 activities.

When Joe resumed his political career as solon, and my joining of PR and Advertising firm in Makati I only see the speaker on occasion and I was more focus on my day to day activities.