Perfecto Yasay Jr.
 |
Perfecto Yasay Jr. | |
|---|---|
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| Secretary of Foreign Affairs | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2016 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Jose Almendras (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Perfecto Rivas Yasay Jr. January 27, 1947 Kidapawan, Philippines |
| Political party | Bangon Pilipinas |
| Spouse | Cecile Joaquin |
| Alma mater | Central Philippine University University of the Philippines, Diliman Ateneo de Manila University |
| Website | Official website |
Perfecto "Jun" Rivas Yasay Jr. (born January 27, 1947) is a lawyer and current Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. He is a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and was Bangon Pilipinas Party's vice-presidential bet in the 2010 Philippine elections, running alongside Eddie Villanueva. He accepted the offer of President Rodrigo Duterte to join his Cabinet on May 18, 2016.[1]
Early life and career
Yasay was born on January 27, 1947 to Perfecto Yasay Sr., a pastor, and Deborah Rivas, a public school teacher, in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.
He finished his secondary education at Davao City High School in 1963 and received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Central Philippine University, Iloilo City in 1967. He earned his law degree at the University of the Philippines and has MBA units in Business Studies from Ateneo de Manila University.
Yasay became a member of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court, and the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. While in New York, he was managing director of the Maceda Philippine News from 1983 to 1987 and senior partner at two law firms—Maceda, Yasay & Tolentino, Esqs., and Yasay & De Castro, Esqs.—from 1979 to 1990.
Yasay is also an incorporator of Jacinto Finance, Marilene J. Group Corp., and Cricem Inc. He is also a stockholder of M and F Stores Inc.
In the Philippines, he was commissioner of San Jose, Yasay & Santos Law Offices from 1987 to 1993.
Civil, criminal, and administrative litigation, public advocacy, corporation law, and election law are among his areas of expertise.
SEC Chairman
In 1993, he was assigned as associate commissioner of SEC. He was chairman from 1995 to 2000.
He currently holds the position of chairman and president of Central Philippine University.
Estrada Impeachment Trial
Yasay was among those who testified in the impeachment trial against President Joseph Estrada on charges of corruption. The probe led to the ouster of Estrada, known as EDSA People Power II in 2001.
On February 15, 2010, Yasay apologized to Estrada for “hurting and offending him” but clarified that this was not a retraction of his testimony on the deposed president's “abuse of authority and corruption.”
2010 vice presidential bid
On November 29, 2009, he accepted the nomination of the Bangon Pilipinas Party to be its candidate for vice president as the running mate of Jesus is Lord Church founder and president Eddie Villanueva. In a statement, he said that he has also been offered a slot in the senatorial slate of three other political parties.
Yasay conveyed that the practice of using big-name endorsers should be stopped because it makes the elections a matter of money and popularity. He also said that the voters' will only base their votes via the endorsers of the candidate.
According to Yasay, the biggest setback in the fight against corruption is the quick pardon of Joseph Estrada.
Yasay lost to Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay in the vice-presidential elections.
On Cybercrime
After the hacking of Yasay's e-mail account, he said that incidents like these create the need for a law that will address cybercrime and protect the rising number of netizens in the country, which is estimated at 24 million.
Personal life
He is married to former Population Commission executive director Cecile Joaquin and has three children: Oliver, Raveena, and Stephanie.
Recognitions
- Recipient of EDSA People Power Freedom Award for Undaunted Courage
- Featured in Business Week, July 3, 2000 issue as one of the Stars of Asia
References
- ^ "Yasay accepts Duterte offer to be acting DFA chief". Rappler. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
- 1947 births
- Living people
- Ateneo de Manila University alumni
- Bangon Pilipinas Party politicians
- Central Philippine University alumni
- Central Philippine University people
- Duterte Administration cabinet members
- Estrada Administration personnel
- Filipino lawyers
- Heads of government agencies of the Philippines
- People from Cotabato
- Filipino Protestants
- Filipino Methodists
- Ramos Administration personnel
- Secretaries of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines
- University of the Philippines alumni