Yasay, securities watchdog and diplomat, dies of cancer
He shone best when then President Joseph Estrada, exasperated by his testimony the President himself called him to go slow on his pal Dante Tan
Malacañang conveyed its condolences to the family of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay
Jr. who passed away Friday morning. He was 73.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said soon after his retirement from years of government service,
Yasay served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Christian University.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and loved ones of former Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr, who died today, June 12,” Roque said.
“As we pay tribute and honor Secretary Yasay, we offer our sincerest prayers to the Almighty to grant him eternal repose,” he added.
Yasay served as the first Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Duterte Administration from July 2016 to March 2017.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has nothing but admiration for the former top diplomat.
“He recommended me for my United Nations job. He hurt no one and helped everyone he could. He did what many fighting tyranny had to: shield themselves with US law,” he said on Twitter.
Yasay as diplomat was first appointed by President Duterte on 30 June 2016 a few months after he took the office.
Also, from Mindanao like Duterte, Yasay served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from 1993 to 1995.
He shone best when then President Joseph Estrada, exasperated by his testimony the President himself called him to go slow on his pal Dante Tan in the BW securities mess, thundered: “Huwag kang magsinungaling! Baka tamaan ka ng kidlat!”
This earned for Yasay, then SEC chairman, the EDSA People Power Freedom Award for standing up for truth and testifying at Estrada’s impeachment trial in 2000.
He studied law at the University of the Philippines (UP) and was a practicing lawyer specializing in corporate law and securities regulation.
Yasay was born on 27 January 1947 in Kidapawan City, Cotabato where he married Cecile Joaquin Yasay with whom he has five children.
His passing was announced by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines where he served as member of the board of trustees.
“We deeply regret the news of the passing of our former General Assembly Chairperson Solomon Abellera (1990-1994), the former Conference Minister of South Cotabato Saranggani District Conference Rev. Avelino Sichon and the current Chairperson of PCU Board of Trustees and former DFA Secretary Atty. Perfecto Yasay, Jr,” the organization said.
Yasay served as the first Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Duterte Administration from July 2016 to March 2017.
In a Facebook post on 23 May 2020, Yasay revealed he was in the hospital nearly three weeks for routine monitoring and further treatment of his thyroid which was surgically removed 10 years earlier.
He said that time he was given a stronger dose of radioactive iodine (RAI) to kill residual thyroid cells that may have spread out in some parts of his body.
Yasay said RAI treatment is the standard protocol in thyroid cases like his and the procedure pretty much cut and dry.
“But I was under isolation for three days because of the level of radiation in my body. My next monitoring will be after six months,” Yasay said.
“However, what was so painfully nagging that kept me bed-ridden most of the time was my herniated disk, that requires a cocktail of various pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs as part of a carefully set-up pain management program by my doctors.”
“I am now set to be discharged, but by next week I will be undergoing a series of physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises so I can be back to fully normal condition soon. I need your continued prayers for speedy recovery and deliverance. Stay safe and well everyone,” he said.