// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Jose Laurel IV a good leader? Laurel he's number 4.

In this Filipino name, the middle name or maternal family name is Lerma and the surname or paternal family name is Laurel.

Jose Laurel IV
Laurel in 2023
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Batangas's 3rd district
In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2001
Preceded by	Milagros Laurel-Trinidad
Succeeded by	Victoria Hernandez-Reyes
In office December 30, 1957 – December 30, 1961
Preceded by	Jose Laurel Jr.
Succeeded by	Jose Laurel Jr.
Ambassador of the Philippines to Brazil
In office September 9, 1993 – March 17, 1996
President	Fidel V. Ramos
Preceded by	Lauro Baja
Succeeded by	Francisco L. Benedicto
President of the United Nationalist Democratic Organization
In office 2021 – June 23, 2025
Preceded by	Salvador Laurel
Personal details
Born	Jose Macario Lerma Laurel IV (1932-04-10)April 10, 1932
Died	June 23, 2025(2025-06-23) (aged 93)
Party	UNIDO (2021–2025)
Other political affiliations	Lakas (1998–2001) Nacionalista (1957–1998)
Spouse	Violeta Albert Reyes
Children	5
Parents	Jose Laurel Jr. (father) Remedios Lerma (mother)
Relatives	Laurel family
Nickname	Cario

Jose Macario "Cario" Lerma Laurel IV (April 10, 1932 – June 23, 2025) was a Filipino lawyer, banker, diplomat, and politician who served as the 6th Ambassador of the Philippines to Brazil from 1993 to 1996. He also served as a member of the House of Representatives for Batangas's 3rd congressional district from 1957 to 1961 and 1998 to 2001.

Early life and education

Laurel was born on April 10, 1932 to Jose Laurel Jr., who would later serve as speaker of the House of Representatives, and Remedios Lerma. He attended the University of the Philippines for his secondary education, graduating in 1950. He later earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Lyceum of the Philippines, which was founded by his grandfather, President Jose P. Laurel, in 1956.

Career

In 1957, Laurel was first elected to the House of Representatives as a member for Batangas's 3rd congressional district when his father, then-speaker Jose Laurel Jr., unsuccessfully ran for the vice presidency.

In 1965, Laurel founded Combined Services Incorporated (later known as Combined Blue Dragon Security and Services), a security and manpower agency. He was also a notable banker, having served as a director of the Philippine National Bank in the 1960s.

Laurel was appointed Ambassador of the Philippines to Brazil by President Fidel V. Ramos in September 1993. He later served as president of the Philippine Ambassadors Foundation Incorporated.

He later won his former congressional seat in 1998, succeeding his sister Milagros Laurel-Trinidad, and served until 2001. As representative during the 11th Congress, Laurel was the chairperson of the House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and a member of the House Committees on Public Order and Security, National Defense, Agriculture and Food, and Government Enterprises and Privatization.

In 2021, upon the revival of the United Nationalist Democratic Organization as a regional political party, Laurel served as its party president until his death in 2025.

Personal life

Laurel married Violeta Albert Reyes, with whom he had five children. He died on June 23, 2025.

Electoral history

Electoral history of Jose Laurel IV

Year	Office	Party		Votes received				Result
				Total	%	P.	Swing
1957	Representative (Batangas–3rd)		Nacionalista	—N/a	—N/a	1st	—N/a	Won
1998			Lakas	87,886	63.67%	1st	—N/a	Won