Business leader Miguel B. Varela is laid to rest — PCCI

Miguel B. Varela, former president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), was laid to rest on Tuesday, August 30.

Varela was cremated Tuesday morning. He passed away due to health issues, PCCI current President George T. Barcelon, he said in a phone interview.

"He was ill for quite a long time. He was ill but he was able to hold on for a year," Barcelon said.

Asked to elaborate, he said Varela suffered from "lung issues."

Varela passed away on August 24, Wednesday. He was 76.

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

Varela earned an Associate of Arts degree from San Beda College and a law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University.

He began his career as a corporate lawyer then served as assistant manager and later director at the National Economic Council — the predecessor of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

He also served in various corporate posts such as 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 Corporation.

He also served as chairman of The Lumier Group, vice president for corporate affairs of General Diesel Corporation, director and vice-president of ASEAN Business Corporation, and vice-president and corporate counsel of F.J. Elizalde and Company.

Varela was also president of the Employers' Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP); commissioner and corporate secretary of Streetwatch Commission and the Foundation for Crime Prevention, vice-president of the Ateneo Law Alumni Foundation, and director of the Makati Rotary Club.

He was a member of the ASEAN Confederation of Employers, and of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP).

Varela also sat as member of the Board of Directors of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), commissioner representing the business sector at the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), and commissioner representing employers at the Social Security System (SSS).

His was a member of the National Manpower and Youth Council, commissioner of the Employees’ Compensation Commission, and commissioner of the Occupational Safety and Health Board.

He was a delegate to many ILO (International Labor Organization) conferences and served as an arbiter at the International Court of Arbitration. He represented the Philippines in the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Business Advisory Council and the East Asia Business Advisory Council. — VDS, GMA News