DBM officials, employees pay last respects to Boncodin

Officials and employees of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Friday paid their last respects to their former chief, Emilia Boncodin, who passed away last Monday. GMA News' Dano Tingcungco reported that DBM officials led by new Budget Secretary Joaquin Lagonera Sr. held a requiem Mass for Boncodin, who first serve the department as senior fiscal planning specialist in 1978. Boncodin became DBM chief in 2001.
During the Mass, the officiating priest called Boncodin a "woman of legacy and principle." In June 2005, Boncodin was among the so-called Hyatt 10, a group of Cabinet officials and other senior government executives who quit their postsduring the height of the "Hello, Garci" scandal then rocking the Arroyo administration. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo likewise joined the Mass, the report said. Another mass will be held for her at 5 p.m., followed by another vigil that will last until Saturday noon. Boncodin died Monday afternoon at the age of 55. [See: Former budget chief Boncodin dies]