It would not be far from the truth to say that the late Emilia Boncodin had been an epitome of the dedicated public servant and government employee. Her passing last 15 March, untimely for someone who was only 55, cannot be but a veritable loss for the government, and ultimately, for the public which she had striven to serve with a quiet passion.
A native of Iriga City, Boncodin's work in government had been largely with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), serving there in various capacities for almost two decades. Besides being part of the government bureaucracy-which she had rued to have been constantly criticized unfairly-she also held professorial lecturer posts in several higher learning institutions, such as the University of the Philippines. Indeed, Boncodin was an educator to numerous young minds intent on joining government or public service.
Her appointment as Budget Secretary in 2001 had seemed the culmination of years of professionalism and determined efforts to contribute towards a sound public financial system. It had seemed the fitting achievement of a life directed towards public service. It was not.
In 2004, as the Arroyo Administration became embroiled in a controversy regarding its legitimacy owing to the "Hello Garci" scandal which indicated massive electoral fraud on the part of the said administration, Boncodin had joined nine other high-ranking government officials in tendering their irrevocable resignation. At the same time, they had asked Mrs. Arroyo to "mak[e] the supreme sacrifice for God and country [by] voluntarily relinquish[ing] her office and allow[ing] her constitutional successor, the Vice President, to assume the Presidency." Composed of seven cabinet secretaries and three bureaus chiefs, the "Hyatt 10" as they were later called, sought to address the leadership crisis of the country through the removal of Mrs. Arroyo from Malacañang.
It was very unfortunate that the voluntary withdrawal of Mrs. Arroyo from her contested position did not occur, and the impeachment proceedings against her did not prosper in a Lower House filled with her loyal vassals. Nonetheless, the Hyatt 10's courageous stand-some had even say "heroic"-became a reference point for dedicated government bureaucrats to dare challenge the very administration they work in if only to serve the people more faithfully.
Boncodin's noteworthy work ethic is perhaps surpassed only by her known integrity in public service: she has never enriched herself despite her long years in government walking the corridors of power. Friends, colleagues, family attest to her austere lifestyle which is truly a rarity among high-ranking government functionaries, locally or nationally.
With her quiet but sudden passing, we join throngs of others who grieve for her loss. Bikol has been fortunate to be able to call Emilia Boncodin her own.