Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro assumed her new post Tuesday after being sworn in by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the morning.

She received the symbolic flag of the Departnent of Foreign Affairs from outgoing Secretary Enrique Manalo in the temporary DFA headquarters in Pasay City. Manalo will return to the United Nations as the country's representatives.

"We safeguard our statehood as well as the dignity of every Filipino. Throughout all this, we must remain guided by the DFA's core values of patriotism, integrity, professionalism, excellence, and service," Lazaro told career officers and employees.

The 66-year-old Lazaro is well-known for her handling of sensitive foreign policy issues, specifically on the country's relations with China.

Lazaro negotiated an agreement with China on a provisional arrangement for the Philippine delivery of supplies to Filipino forces at Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal to prevent a repeat of past confrontations. It was signed in July 2024.

Resupply missions to the shoal have been peaceful.

As DFA's undersecretary for policy, she alao led negotiations for a crucial Code of Conduct in the South.China Sea, which aims to prevent a major conflict in the disputed waters, called West Philippine Sea by Manila. DMS