Tess Lazaro
Tess Lazaro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Lazaro in 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
29th Secretary of Foreign Affairs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assumed office July 1, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
President | Bongbong Marcos | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Enrique Manalo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office July 28, 2022 – July 1, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Maria Theresa Parreño Lazaro | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alma mater | Miriam College (BA) University of the Philippines Diliman (LLB) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Profession |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maria Theresa "Tess" Parreño Lazaro OS is a Filipino diplomat and lawyer who has served as the 29th secretary of foreign affairs since 2025. Before her appointment, she had served as the undersecretary for bilateral relations and ASEAN affairs since 2022 and has held various diplomatic posts under multiple Philippine administrations.
A graduate of Maryknoll College (now Miriam College), Lazaro pursued legal studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1984 and has since served in several administrative and diplomatic roles. She served as the Philippine ambassador to Switzerland from 2008 to 2011 and as ambassador to France and Monaco from 2014 to 2020.
In 2022, Lazaro was appointed as undersecretary for bilateral relations and ASEAN affairs. During her tenure, she was involved with discussions concerning the possible acceptance of Afghan refugees into the country and served as a top negotiator in maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea. In 2025, she was appointed foreign affairs secretary as part of a cabinet reshuffle.
Life and career
[edit]Lazaro obtained her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Maryknoll College (now Miriam College) and completed her Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1983.[citation needed] Lazaro entered the home office of the Department of Foreign Affairs (then a ministry under the fourth republic) in October 1984 as an assistant director for the law division, office of inspection, intelligence, and legal services, a position she would hold until May 1985. She would continue to hold administrative roles until July 1988, when she became the second secretary and consul at the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, from July 1988 to December 1993. During her tenure as second secretary, she also held the role of Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP).[1]
She went on to serve European assignments, including serving as First Secretary and Consul at the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1996 to 1998, followed by her appointment as Minister and Consul General at the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, Spain, from 1998 to 1999.[1]
Lazaro's experience in the Americas began with her role as Deputy Consul General at the Philippine Consulate General in New York, US, from 1999 to 2002.[2] She then moved to Australia, serving as Consul General at the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney from 2005 to 2008.[2] Her ambassadorial appointments included her tenure as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Switzerland from December 13, 2008, to March 31, 2011, and subsequently as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France and Monaco, while simultaneously serving as Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, a position she has held since April 23, 2014.[1]
Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs (2022–2025)
[edit]On July 28, 2022, Secretary Enrique Manalo appointed Lazaro as acting Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs.[3] In this capacity, she became the Philippines' representative to ASEAN senior official meetings and led negotiations for communiques within the regional bloc.[3]
Lazaro was involved in discussions regarding the Philippines' potential acceptance of Afghan refugees. She indicated that the initial US proposal involved flying Afghan refugees directly from Kabul to the Philippines, though she noted this presented logistical concerns due to the country's visa policy.[4][5]
West Philippine Sea negotiations
[edit]As Undersecretary, Lazaro served as the Philippines' top negotiator with China, particularly regarding disputes in the West Philippine Sea. She successfully negotiated a landmark provisional arrangement with China for the Philippine delivery of supplies to Filipino forces at Ayungin Shoal, aimed at preventing future confrontations.[2]
Lazaro headed the Philippine team in dialogue sessions with China, where both countries committed to de-escalating tensions "without prejudice to their respective positions" regarding the Ayungin Shoal dispute. She emphasized that both sides recognized the need to "restore trust, rebuild confidence and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction." During these negotiations, she maintained that the Philippines would be "relentless in protecting its interests and upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea."
She also leads negotiations for the Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea, a crucial agreement aimed at preventing major conflicts in the disputed waters.[2]
Secretary of Foreign Affairs (since 2025)
[edit]Appointment and confirmation
[edit]President Bongbong Marcos appointed Lazaro as secretary of foreign affairs on May 23, 2025, as part of a major Cabinet reshuffle. Observers regarded Lazaro's appointment as a continuation of the management approach that prevailed during her predecessor Manalo's tenure, owing to her extensive experience in the department and role during his time in office.[6] Ahead of her term, Lazaro pledged her support for the accession of Timor-Leste to ASEAN.[7][8]
During the hearing the proceedings for her confirmation, she affirmed her support for upholding ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific and pursuing the two-state solution for the Israeli–Palestinian conflict supported by the United Nations.[9] The Commission on Appointments confirmed her appointment on June 11, without major debate.[10]
Tenure
[edit]President Marcos swore in Lazaro as secretary on July 1, nearly a month ahead of the initial schedule of July 31.[2][11] Upon taking office, Marcos conferred the Order of Sikatuna to Lazaro with the rank of Grand Cross.[12][13] She became the second woman to serve as foreign affairs secretary, following Delia Albert, who held the position from 2003 to 2004.[14] Her tenure is also expected to coincide with the Philippine chairmanship of the ASEAN in 2026.[15]
Honours
[edit]National honours
[edit]Philippines:
Grand Cross of the Order of Sikatuna with Rank of Datu (2025)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Curriculum Vitae" (PDF), H.E. MA. THERESA PARREÑO LAZARO, Group of 77, archived (PDF) from the original on May 3, 2015, retrieved May 26, 2025
- ^ a b c d e Del Callar, Michaela (May 23, 2025). "PH negotiator to China, ASEAN is new foreign secretary". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ a b Rocamora, Joyce Ann L. (July 28, 2022). "DFA lineup of undersecretaries all career diplomats". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Talosig-Bartolome, Malou (June 17, 2023). "EXPLAINER: What's the fuss about bringing Afghans to the Philippines?". BusinessMirror. Archived from the original on January 5, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Corrales, Nestor; Gascon, Melvin (June 11, 2023). "PH plan to accept Afghan refugees still for review – envoy". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Royandoyan, Ramon (May 23, 2025). "Philippines' Marcos appoints new foreign minister amid cabinet shake-up". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Quevedo, Richbon (May 25, 2025). "Phl joins ASEAN talks, pledges support for Timor-Leste". Daily Tribune. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Bajo, Anna Felicia (May 25, 2025). "PH commits to Timor Leste's accession process to ASEAN - DFA exec". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Garner, Jom; Mago, Jason (June 12, 2025). "Aliling, Lazaro get CA nod". Daily Tribune. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ Garner, Jom (June 11, 2025). "Tess Lazaro confirmed as DFA chief, replaces Manalo". Daily Tribune. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ Ow-Yong, Karen (May 24, 2025). "Veteran diplomat Tess Lazaro is new Foreign Affairs Secretary". DZRH News. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Bajo, Anna Felicia (July 1, 2025). "Marcos swears in Tess Lazaro as DFA secretary". GMA News Online. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
- ^ Cupin, Bea (July 1, 2025). "Who is Tess Lazaro, Marcos' new foreign affairs secretary?". RAPPLER. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
- ^ Cabato, Luisa (May 23, 2025). "Palace: Theresa Lazaro will be DFA sec; Enrique Manalo will be PH rep to UN". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ Mangaluz, Jean (May 23, 2025). "Reshuffled: Tess Lazaro named DFA chief, Enrique Manalo is new UN envoy". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 27, 2025.