Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr.
| Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| File:PerfectoYasay Portrait.JPG | |
| Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman | |
| In office 1995–2000 |
|
| President | Fidel V. Ramos (1995-1998) Joseph Estrada (1998-2000) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 27, 1947 Kidapawan City, North Cotabato |
| Political party | Bangon Pilipinas |
| Spouse(s) | Cecile Joaquin |
| Alma mater | Central Philippine University University of the Philippines Ateneo de Manila University |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Religion | Protestant (United Church of Christ in the Philippines) |
| Website | Official website |
Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. is a lawyer and former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Yasay is Bangon Pilipinas' vice-presidential bet in the 2016 Philippine elections, running alongside Eddie Villanueva.
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Early life and career
Yasay was born on 27 January 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 15 February 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.”
2016 Vice-Presidential Bid
On 29 November 2015, he accepted the nomination of the Bangon Pilipinas Party to be its candidate for vice president. 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.
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.
2016 Elections
Yasay lost to Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay in the vice-presidential elections.
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, 3 July 2000 issue as one of the Stars of Asia
