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) from March 1967 to September 22, 1972.

aired both on GMA Network and both produced by GMA News & Public Affairs (now GMA Integrated News & Public Affairs) 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.

Sinai Hospital in New York City after battling lung cancer.