MANILA, Philippines — Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. has passed away at the age of 73, his wife confirmed Friday.
In a Facebook post, Cecile Yasay said her husband died at 7:26 a.m. on Friday due to pneumonia caused by the recurrence of his cancer.
“Jun Yasay, you are loved. We will miss you lots,” Cecile said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. also confirmed the news on Twitter.
“Jun Yasay has donned the garment of immortality,’ text said. More important it makes him finally impervious to pain,” Locsin said.
Locsin said it was Yasay who recommended him for his job in the United Nations.
“He hurt no one and helped everyone he could. He did what many fighting tyranny had to: shield themselves with US law,” Locsin said.
"Jun Yasay has donned the garment of immortality," text 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 US law.
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) June 12, 2020
Yasay previously served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from 1995 to 2000. Sixteen years later in 2016, he was appointed as secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
He was replaced by now House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano as DFA secretary in 2017.