Marcos swears in Lazaro as new DFA secretary

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.

- By HELEN FLORES

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.