José Mari Uhler Vélez (May 27, 1942 – June 3, 1991)[1] was a Filipino lawyer, journalist, business executive, and activist best remembered for his long career as television newscaster anchoring The Big News on ABC 5 (now TV5) and for his service as an oppositionist delegate to the Philippine Constitutional Convention of 1971.[1][2] He was one of the opposition delegates at the convention, which was why he was one of the first to be arrested when Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial law in September 1972.[3][4][5] In April 1989, Velez became one of the first recipients of the Ninoy Aquino Fellowship Award for his accomplishments in journalism, with President Corazon Aquino stating that she believes he "share[s] in Ninoy's vision of preserving and strengthening our democracy."[6]
Jose Mari Velez | |
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Born | José Mari Uhler Vélez May 27, 1942 |
Died | June 3, 1991 New York City, New York, United States | (aged 49)
Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman, Center for Research and Communication |
Occupation(s) | Lawyer, Journalist, Business Executive |
Awards | Honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani wall of remembrance |
Vélez died on June 3, 1991, at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City after battling lung cancer.[7] He was a graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman and of the Center for Research and Communication, which eventually evolved into the University of Asia and the Pacific.[1]