Former Finance chief, NAMFREL pioneer Ting Jayme passes away

(Updated 8:54 p.m.) Former Finance Secretary Vicente “Ting” Jayme, who was also co-founder of the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), passed away Wednesday night. Jayme succumbed to cardiac arrest, according to Belle Arceno, media relations officer of the Department of Finance (DOF). In an e-mail sent to reporters Thursday, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima expressed condolences to Jayme's family. “We want to let Ting Jayme’s family and friends know that the DOF family that he helped build condoles with them as well,” Purisima said. Jayme served as DOF secretary in the Cabinet of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, mother of President Benigno S. Aquino III. Jayme also worked with the Federation of Free Workers, headed the Private Development Corp. of the Philippines (PDCP), and also served as president of the Philippine Chamber of Industries prior to his role as finance secretary. In addition, Jayme served as the executive director of the Asian Development Bank from 1990 to 1997. Purisima said in his email: "As a pioneer in NAMFREL, Ting was one of the hardest fighters for good governance at a time when his country needed it the most. When he was appointed by President Aquino, Ting was a brilliant Finance Secretary whose legacy will be remembered as having steered the Philippines away from the brink of financial collapse. Current and future civil servants would do well to remember the prudence of his policy even in these times of relative plenty." Jayme's remains can be viewed at Sta. Maria della Strada Parish Church located at Katipunan Road cor. Pansol Street in Quezon City. The family has yet to announce the official date of interment. — Siegfrid Alegado and Rouchelle Dinglasan/KBK, GMA News