MANILA -- Former government colleagues, students, and politicians gave tribute Tuesday to former Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin, who succumbed to cardiac arrest following a long bout with kidney disease Monday afternoon.
At the Santa Maria dela Strada Parish at Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City, Boncodin’s colleagues in the Hyatt 10, a group of former Arroyo Cabinet officials who resigned at the height of the “Hello Garci” controversy led the list of mourners.
They include former Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman who described Boncodin as a “dedicated public servant” and someone who lived a “simple life.”
Joining Soliman were former Trade Secretary Juan Santos, former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita “Ging” Deles, former Education Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, former Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina, and former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, former Senate President Franklin Drilon and Liberal Party bet Senator Noynoy Aquino.
Meanwhile, a radio report quoted Deputy Presidential Adviser Gary Olivar as saying that the Palace is scheduling a visit by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo anytime this week.
The parish’s security said Boncodin’s remains were transferred from the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) shortly after midnight Tuesday.
Details of the interment will be announced soon as the family asked the media to avoid getting pictures or footage to maintain peace in the area.
A necrological service will be hosted by the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) tonight at 7 p.m. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)