PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. swore in Maria Theresa “Tess” Lazaro as the newly appointed Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), July 1.
She replaced outgoing secretary Enrique Manalo, who has been reassigned as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a role he previously held before joining the Cabinet. Manalo will return to his post in New York.
Lazaro, 66, has served decades in Philippine foreign affairs. She is best known for negotiating a provisional arrangement with China over Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal).
This is a strategic move designed to de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea by allowing Philippine forces to deliver supplies to troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre without provoking confrontations.
Lazaro is only the second female career diplomat to lead the DFA, after Delia Domingo Albert, who served in 2003.
She was conferred the Order of Sikatuna Grand Cross (Rank of Datu) on the same day, in recognition of her vital role in advancing the Philippines’ strategic foreign policy interests.
