Marcos swears in Lazaro as new DFA secretary

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos swore in veteran career diplomat Maria Theresa Lazaro as the new secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday, banking on her decades-long career in diplomatic service in advancing the country’s interests and protecting its territorial integrity.

In a ceremony at Malacañang, Marcos also conferred on Lazaro the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu (Grand Cross) Gold Distinction “in recognition of her service to the nation.”

Lazaro replaced Enrique Manalo, who will return as the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Manalo held the position from 2020 to 2022.

“A career diplomat who has spent decades serving our country, she now steps to lead the Department of Foreign Affairs, bringing the experience and steady hand we need to advance our interests, protect our territorial integrity and care for our people around the world,” Marcos said in a post on Instagram following Lazaro’s oath-taking at Malacañang.

Prior to her appointment as DFA chief, Lazaro served as undersecretary for bilateral relations and Association of Southeast Asian Nations affairs, a post she held since 2021.

In conferring the rank of Datu (Grand Cross), Gold Distinction award, Marcos cited Lazaro’s “distinguished and dedicated” service to the DFA and the government.

The award is given to high-ranking officials who demonstrate extraordinary service to Philippine diplomacy and international relations.

Marcos said Lazaro’s career as diplomat – spanning four decades – was marked by “exemplary leadership” in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.

He cited her “outstanding” representation of the Philippines as the country’s ambassador to France and Switzerland, and various foreign assignments across Europe, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific.

The President also recognized Lazaro’s “strategic role” in advancing the Philippines’ interests in critical foreign policy issues, including maritime security, regional peace and stability and multilateral cooperation.

In her capacity as undersecretary for bilateral relations, Lazaro led the Philippine delegation during the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea.

The Philippines-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea was organized several years ago to foster friendly dialogue between the Philippines and China.

Marcos recognized the DFA chief’s vital contributions to cultural diplomacy and the global recognition of the Philippine heritage through her service as permanent delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced in a press conference on May 23 the change in DFA leadership, describing Lazaro as a “very capable diplomat.”

Lazaro is the second woman to lead the DFA after Delia Albert.