CODE-NGO paid tribute to its former leaders who have passed on in recent years. With unwavering tenacity, they helped shape CODE-NGO to the coalition that it is today.

Karina Constantino-David was the Chairperson of CODE-NGO from 1990-1998.  Karina was also a great and respected leader in the academe, government, and civil society. In 1980, Karina drew a “map” of the Philippine NGO terrain, categorizing NGOs into three basic types: non-government individuals, membership-based organizations, and institutions. She was professor and head of University of the Philippines-Diliman’s Department of Community Development. After serving the government for over three decades – as Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Chair, and Civil Service Commission Chairperson – she continued to forward children, urban poor and women’s rights through various civic engagements.

“She is loyal and also very fierce. That is the kind of leader CODE-NGO needed at that time.”

– Danilo “Dan” Songco (Former National Coordinator)

“She was demanding on the values and principles when working. At the same time she has a soft side to her.”

– Anna Marie “Jing” Karaos, PhD (Former Chairperson)

She was as tireless and innovative working in the government bureaucracy as she was in the field as a community organizer-activist. She demanded of herself the same level of fierce commitment that she expected of others. 

– Prof. Randy David (Husband)

Corazon Juliano-Soliman was one of the founders of CODE-NGO when it was formally established in 1991. She has always been our champion, ally, and mentor on people-centered development, a courageous and truly inspiring leader. When Karina David had to leave CODE-NGO for a government post, Dinky took the helm as Chairperson in 1998. Under her leadership, she set the example of good governance that we know today. After successfully leading the protests against President Joseph Estrada through the Kongreso ng Mamamayang Pilipino II (KOMPIL II), she was appointed in 2001 as DSWD Secretary by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She was one of the 10 government officials  who resigned from their posts following charges of electoral fraud against then president  Arroyo . Sec. Dinky once again headed the social welfare department during the late former President Benigno Aquino III’s term from 2010 to 2016.

“Dinky relied not only on her grassroots and community experience in leading the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), she also called on researchers to refine the DSWD program. She was a visionary, an inclusive and reform-oriented leader, and she excelled wherever she was. She always maintained her principles of being a champion of the poor and marginalized. I will surely miss you, Dinks. Rest assured we will carry on.”

– Fernando T. Aldaba, PhD (Founding Trustee of CODE-NGO)

“Dinky was the best facilitator I have ever known. I think what makes her a highly effective one was her ability to practice active listening. Dinky could park her ego at the door making others feel she was only listening to them, hearing the feelings and emotions of what they are saying. She had the capacity to suspend judgment, listening to others with dignity without giving up the advocacies she held dear.”

– Ma. Aurora Tolentino (Former Chairperson)

Atty. Ferdinand Casis was Corporate Secretary of CODE-NGO for at least 15 years. He was very supportive of the Board and Secretariat, who gave advice on organizational and legal issues. Atty. Joy was steadfast and straightforward, and supported CODE-NGO’s advocacies as well.

“His crucial support for our work against the Anti-Terror Act gave CODE-NGO the courage to file the petition at the Supreme Court.”

Roselle Rasay (Former Executive Director)

Even if he is a lawyer, he is the first to say not to file a case. That is costly and takes a long time. That is rare for a lawyer.

-Sixto Donato “Dodo” Macasaet (Former Executive Director)

Ma. Socorro  Camacho served on the boards of various non-profits and was an independent consultant on social development. Marissa became CODE-NGO’s Chairperson from 1997-2002. She pursued the idea of raising funds from the capital market, which led to the creation of the Poverty Eradication and Alleviation Certificates (PEACE) Bonds. Until February 2018, Marissa was Vice-President for Partnerships Development of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF). The foundation manages the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s premier prize and the highest honor given to celebrate the greatness of spirit and transformative leadership in Asia. In honor of Marissa, the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) launched the Marissa Camacho Fund, with the purpose of advancing women’s entrepreneurship and developing a new breed of leaders that will steer the future of social development, two advocacies that Marissa had been passionate about.

“She helped conceptualize the PEACE Bonds which was the bridge between the banking, private sectors, and civil society which was beyond our reach.”

– Albert Aquino (Former Chairperson)

“She is very caring and warm. You know it’s not just a job for her.”

-Sixto Donato “Dodo” Macasaet (Former Executive Director)

CODE-NGO will continue their legacy in the development sector. 

Watch the tributes here:

Karina Constantino-David, Atty. Ferdinand Casis, and Ma. Socorro  Camacho

Corazon Juliano-Soliman