Miguel ‘Mike’ Varela passes away

Miguel Varela, a prominent corporate lawyer who served as president and chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) as well as president of the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines ( ECOP), passed away yesterday. He was 76.

Varela earned an Associate of Arts degree from San Beda College and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo de Manila University. He also took numerous corporate, labor and management courses under the sponsorship of the International Labor Organization ( ILO) and the Asian Productivity Organization and the Nikkeren in Japan.

Varela had been the chairman of the board of HK Securities, Inc.; president of the Transunion Corporation; director of Union Industries, Inc.; director of Acoje Holdings, Inc. and director of Mabuhay Vinyl Corp.

He also served as chairman of The Lumier Group; vice president for corporate affairs of General Diesel Corp. from 1976 to 1979; director and vice president of ASEAN Business Corp. and vice president and corporate counsel of F. J. Elizalde and Co. from 1976 to 1979.

Varela started his storied career as corporate lawyer and management expert as assistant manager in the Planning Research and Development Office of the National Economic and Development Authority from 1966 to 1970.

Varela had also been the commissioner and corporate secretary of Streetwatch Commission and the Foundation for Crime Prevention; vice president, Ateneo Law Alumni Foundation; and director of the Makati Rotary Club. He was a member of the ASEAN Confederation of Employers, and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP).

Varela also had an extensive stint in government as a member ( representing Employer and Industry Sector) of the Board of Directors of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority ( TESDA); as a commissioner ( representing the Business Sector) of the National Labor Relations Commission; and as a commissioner ( representing employers) of the Social Security System.

Well- loved in and out of the business sector, Varela was a member (representing Management) of the National Manpower and Youth Council; commissioner ( representing employers) of the Employees’ Compensation Commission; Commissioner ( representing employers) of the Occupational Safety and Health Board; and director of the National Economic Council (now National Economic and Development Authority) from 1967 to 1972.

Varela was a delegate to many ILO conferences and served as an arbiter of the International Court of Arbitration. He also represented the Philippines in the APEC Business Advisory Council and the East Asia Business Advisory Council.

Varela is survived by his wife Cecil, four daughters, four grandchildren, sisters Dulce and Cori and younger brother Jesus, as well as by his 95-year-old mother.

The wake will be at Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila, Quezon City and viewing starts on Friday, Aug. 26, Internment schedule will be announced later.