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Veteran diplomat Theresa Lazaro takes oath as new DFA secretary

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Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA (UPDATE 3) - Veteran diplomat Theresa Lazaro on Tuesday took her oath as the new Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s midterm Cabinet revamp.</p><p>Lazaro took her oath before Marcos Jr. in Malacañang, formalizing the appointment that has been announced earlier this year.</p><p>“A career diplomat who has spent decades serving our country, she now steps up 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 Jr. said in a social media post.</p><p>Lazaro previously served as DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, a crucial post as the Philippines prepares to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.</p><p>In the same event, Lazaro was also conferred with the Order of Sikatuna Grand Cross “in recognition of her distinguished and dedicated service” as a diplomat with a “career spanning four decades and marked by exemplary leadership.”</p><p>Lazaro is deserving of the distinction because of her excellence “in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy… for her strategic role in advancing Philippine interests in critical foreign policy issues, including maritime security regional peace and stability, and multilateral cooperation,” Marcos Jr. said in the certificate accompanying the award.</p><p>The President further hailed the veteran diplomat “for her leadership in establishing and revitalizing diplomatic mechanisms with new and traditional partners, including through maritime dialogues, policy consultations, and joint commission meetings to promote the Philippines’ foreign policy and development priorities.”</p><p>Lazaro was also recognized “for her vital contributions to cultural diplomacy and the global recognition of Philippine heritage through her service as permanent delegate to UNESCO, during which she secured the country&#x27;s election to key bodies and championed the protection and promotion of Philippine cultural sites and intangible cultural heritage.”</p><p>The new DFA chief is also hailed for her “unwavering commitment to the highest standards of diplomatic service, reflecting the core values and interests of the Republic of the Philippines in the international arena.”</p><p>Lazaro is a lawyer and a career diplomat with over 4 decades of experience. She has previously worked as the Philippines’ ambassador to Switzerland, France and Monaco, and was also named as the Consul General in Sydney and Madrid. </p><p>She was reportedly instrumental in negotiating a landmark agreement with China to establish the provisional delivery of supplies to Filipino forces at Ayungin Shoal to deescalate confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels.</p><p>Lazaro replaced former DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, who will now serve as the Philippines’ permanent representative to the United Nations amid the country’s ongoing campaign for a seat in the UN Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.</p><div> </div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dj_cMGMUsNg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Veteran diplomat Theresa Lazaro on Tuesday took her oath as the new Foreign Affairs Secretary following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s midterm Cabinet revamp.</p>

Veteran diplomat Theresa Lazaro on Tuesday took her oath as the new Foreign Affairs Secretary following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s midterm Cabinet revamp.

Veteran diplomat Theresa Lazaro takes oath as Marcos Jr.’s new DFA Secretary

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Veteran diplomat Theresa Lazaro takes oath as Marcos Jr.’s new DFA Secretary

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 01, 2025 10:07 AM PHT

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Updated Jul 01, 2025 10:06 PM PHT

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