MANILA – Former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. has passed away Friday morning due to pneumonia, his widow Cecile Joaquin Yasay confirmed.
The 73-year-old Yasay died at around 7:26 a.m. of pneumonia related to his cancer, Cecile said.
The news was first announced on Facebook by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).
Yasay was born on Jan. 27, 1947 to Perfecto Yasay Sr., a pastor, and Deborah Rivas, a public school teacher, in Kidapawan, North Cotabato.
Yasay 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.
Yasay earned his law degree at the University of the Philippines and has MBA units in business studies from Ateneo de Manila University.
Yasay was President Rodrigo Duterte’s first foreign secretary. He served as the Philippines’ top diplomat from June 2016 until March 2017 when the Commission on Appointments rejected his appointment due to citizenship issues. Healso served as chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Current DFA secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., in his tribute to Yasay, said that the erstwhile DFA chief has “donned the garment of immortality.”
“Jun Yasay has donned the garment of immortality,” Locsin said. “More important it makes him finally impervious to pain. He recommended me for my UN job. He hurt no one and helped everyone he could. He did what many fighting tyranny had to: Shield themselves with United States law.”
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque extended, too, condolences to Yasay’s family on behalf of Malacañang Palace.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones of former Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary [Perfecto] Yasay, Jr.,” Roque said. “As we pay tribute and honor Secretary Yasay, we offer our sincerest prayers to the Almighty to grant him eternal repose.”/PN
