Vice President Leni Robredo has mourned the passing of former Social Welfare Secretary, whom she described as "pure of heart, humble and compassionate."

In a Facebook post, Robredo recalled how the former Cabinet Secretary assisted her family at the time when the authorities were searching for her late husband former DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, following a plane crash.

"Sec Dinky was one of Jesse’s most admired public officials. Matino at Mahusay, he would always say. He was always a good judge of character so she became ours, as well," said Robredo.

"It was not until the plane crash that we got to know her really well. The story was, when PNoy first learned of the crash, he wanted a member of his official family to be with us. But no one knew me personally because I have never joined Jesse in any of the Malacañang activities," she recalled. 

According to Robredo, Soliman was on a long weekend trip at that time but flew to Naga to volunteer and assist her family.

"Despite this, and without even knowing us, she volunteered. She was on the next available plane to Naga and kept us company during the entire search operations," she said.

The Vice President said that the former DSWD secretary made sure that she ate and slept during those harrowing days. 

"While I slept on our bed, she would be on the couch just beside me, making sure she was there when I wake up. PNoy, Sec Mar, Sec Volts, Sen Leila would call her to update her on everything that’s happening, and she would be the one to relay information to us. She was our lifesaver, in every sense of the word."

"Sec Dinky was pure of heart, humble and compassionate. The world has lost another good soul but heaven gained another angel," she said.

Soliman passed away today, September 19. She was 68.