Vicente “Ting” R. Jayme, founding chair of the SERDEF, died yesterday, April 4, after succumbing to a heart ailment at the age of 80 plus.
Jayme is best known as the Secretary of the Department of Finance from 1987 to 1989 during the term of the late President Corazon Aquino. He also held the Public Works and Highways portfolio during the same administration.
Notably, Jayme co-founded the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) with Jose S. Concepcion, Jr. The NAMFREL harnesses citizens as volunteer-watch dogs to safeguard the sanctity of the vote in elections since the 1980s.
Before he was recruited into public service, Jayme was a prominent business leader who headed the Private Development Corporation of the Philippines (PDCP). He was also one-time president of the Philippine National Bank.
Incumbent Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima describes Jayme as a “”brilliant” Finance chief who was able to steer the country away from economic collapse during the crisis years in the 1980s.
SERDEF President Paterno Viloria said it was a “great privilege to work with Ting Jayme in putting up SERDEF in 1976.” It was with his prestige and influence that SERDEF was able to attract other prestigious names in business and industry to join the Foundation, Viloria added.
According to Business World Online, Jayme’s remains will be transferred this afternoon from Santa Maria de la Strada Church in Katipunan to the Ateneo de Manila High School chapel.