Karina Constantino-David, 73

MANILA, Philippines — Former Civil Service Commission (CSC) chair Karina Constantino-David died on Tuesday. She was 73.

Her family confirmed her death in a statement released yesterday. No other details were provided.

“Much of her life was spent serving the Filipino people in her work as professor, activist, community organizer and public servant. She was a patriot in the true sense of word,” read the statement.

“As a professional, she was the epitome of discipline, intelligence and integrity; as a wife, mother and grandmother, she was the perfect example of patience, selflessness and unconditional love,” it added.

The family said they would release details of her wake when available.

Constantino-David was the daughter of historian Renato Constantino. In the 1980s she formed the folk duo Inang Laya with Becky Demetillo Abraham, part of the cultural resistance to the Marcos regime.

She was the wife of sociologist Randy David, and mother of broadcast journalist Kara David and University of the Philippines geology professor Carlos Primo David.

Constantino-David served in various government positions, including as chair of the CSC from 2001 to 2008 and trustee of the Government Service Insurance System from 2010 to 2016.

She was also the chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council from 1998 to 1999, and had served as undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Constantino-David was a professor of community development and sociology at the University of the Philippines in Diliman and was involved in various organizations, more recently the opposition-leaning Tindig Pilipinas.

She is survived by her husband Randy; children Carlos Primo, Kara, Nadya and Jika, and grandchildren Julia, Jacinta, Xavier, Alonso and Lila. – With Elizabeth Marcelo