Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday administered the oath of office of Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro as the new secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in a ceremony held at Malaca±ang Palace. Lazaro, who most recently served as DFA undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, formally assumed her post as the country's top diplomat, replacing Enrique Manalo, who is set to return as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

According to Philippines News Agency, alongside the oath-taking, Marcos also conferred on Lazaro the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu (Grand Cross), Gold Distinction - one of the highest honors bestowed on diplomats - in recognition of her four decades of service to Philippine foreign relations. The official citation highlighted her leadership in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.

Lazaro previously served as Philippine ambassador to France and Switzerland, and held key foreign assignments across Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific. She also served as the country's permanent delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

In a social media post, Marcos acknowledged Lazaro's experience as a career diplomat. "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,' he said.

Lazaro takes the helm of the DFA at a time of growing regional and global diplomatic challenges, particularly in the West Philippine Sea and multilateral engagements across Asia and beyond.