President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday swore in Ma. Theresa Lazaro as the new Secretary of Foreign Affairs, succeeding Enrique Manalo. The appointment was earlier announced by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin as part of a broad government revamp.

Manalo will serve as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. He replaces Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo who is retiring.

Lazaro was previously Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs.

She was also ambassador of the Philippines to Switzerland, France and Monaco. Prior to being the Chief of Diplomatic missions in those countries, she was Consul General in Geneva, Switzerland and Madrid, Spain.

In her tenure as DFA undersecretary, she was the Philippine representative to ASEAN senior official meetings and led negotiations within the regional bloc.

Lazaro also spearheaded Manila’s dialogue with Beijing on maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea. As the top negotiator, she successfully negotiated a landmark provisional arrangement with China for the delivery of supplies to Filipino forces at Ayungin Shoal, which prevented future confrontations.

Order of Sikatuna

For her leadership and stellar career as a diplomat, Marcos conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu (Grand Cross), Gold Distinction, on Lazaro.

“In recognition of her distinguished and dedicated service to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine government in a career spanning four decades and marked by exemplary leadership, in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy,” Marcos read from the award citation.

Marcos recognized Lazaro’s valuable contributions to foreign policy, ASEAN engagements, and her achievements as a seasoned career diplomat.

“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, have caused to be inscribed in the roster of the Order of Sikatuna the name of Ma. Theresa Parreño Lazaro,” the citation read.

Established in 1953, the Order of Sikatuna is a diplomatic honor conferred by the President of the Philippines to recognize individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious service to the country.

It is also awarded to foreign diplomats and officials who have helped strengthen ties between their home country and the Philippines.