Palace condoles with family of ex-DFA chief Perfecto Yasay Jr

Malacañang extended its condolences to the family of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., who passed away on Friday at the age of 73.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones of former Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary [Perfecto] Yasay, Jr.,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

“As we pay tribute and honor Secretary Yasay, we offer our sincerest prayers to the Almighty to grant him eternal repose.”

At the Senate, Senator Richard Gordon also extended his condolences to Yasay’s family.

“Jun was a person of principle and one who loves his country. He has served with distinction and utmost patriotism as Secretary of Foreign Affairs and as Chairman of the Security and Exchange Commission,” Gordon said.

“Kate and I share the grief of Jun’s wife Cecille and children. We mourn with his many colleagues and friends in the legal profession, in the corporate and diplomatic world and in everyday life,” he added.

Gordon said Yasay was “extremely nice to everyone and easily accessible especially to his friends and classmates that’s why he is the Mr. Nice Guy.”

Yasay was President Rodrigo Duterte’s first foreign secretary. He served as the Philippines’ top diplomat from June 2016 until March 2017 when the powerful Commission on Appointments rejected his appointment due to citizenship issues.

Yasay had also served as chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission and head of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Christian University. — Virgil Lopez/KBK/RSJ, GMA News