Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr.

Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr.
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 (1947-01-27) (age 65)
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 Christian 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 2010 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.”

2010 Vice-Presidential Bid

On 29 November 2009, 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.

2010 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

References