Businessman and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) President Donald Dee has passed away at the age of 72, ECOP announced on Sunday.
In a post on its official Facebook page, ECOP announced the passing of Dee and commemorated the legacy of its late president.
Dee passed away on Saturday.
“The business community lost a passionate champion and leader, a stalwart in the industry, and a staunch advocate of and for employers,” ECOP said.
Dee’s daughter, Apples Aberin, also confirmed the passing of her father through an Instagram post.
“You do know that you are one of my favorite people ever, right? You fought a good, brave fight! And now, I am thankful that you are in a better place,” she wrote as a caption.
Meanwhile, one of Dee’s granddaughters Samantha Sadhwani also posted on Instagram as a tribute to her late grandfather.
“You’ve set the bar too high for any of the men in our lives. Your girls love you so much. I love you so much,” she wrote.
The late businessman served as Honorary Chairman and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Founding Trustee of the Philippine Business for Education (PBED).
He was also a former Council member of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC)-Philippines, ECOP noted.
Dee previously served as the Commissioner of Social Security System (SSS) in 2001-2010, and Director of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).
ECOP said in a separate Facebook post that his wake is currently being held at the Capilla del Señor of Santuario de San Antonio in Makati City with a daily celebration of mass at 7 p.m.
The inurnment of the deceased businessman will be on Wednesday morning, December 5. /je