PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday administered the oath of office to Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, who officially took over from Enrique Manalo, now the Philippines’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The President, in a simple ceremony in Malacanang, also conferred the Order of Sikatuna with rank of Datu (Grand Cross) Gold Distinction on Lazaro in recognition of her four decades of service at the DFA and in various ambassadorial posts.
“Today, we conferred the Order of Sikatuna on Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, in recognition of her service to the nation. A career diplomat who has spent decades serving our country, she now steps up to lead the Department of Foreign Affairs,” Marcos said in an Instagram post after the ceremony.
He said Lazaro brings with her “the experience and steady hand we need to advance our interests, protect our territorial integrity and care for our people around the world.”
Before her appointment, Lazaro was serving as the DFA undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs.
She previously served as the Philippine ambassador to Switzerland and France, and led several diplomatic missions and represented the Philippines in international gatherings such as the ASEAN senior officials’ meetings and Manila’s dialogue with Beijing on maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
The President, in conferring the Order of Sikatuna, recognized Lazaro’s leadership and contributions to foreign policy development, her work in ASEAN, and her accomplishments over a career in diplomacy.
“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.
The Order of Sikatuna is conferred by the President to recognize individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious service to the Republic, including diplomats, foreign officials, and DFA personnel who have helped foster and strengthen relations between their countries and the Philippines.
MARCOS’ DIRECTIVE
Marcos directed the new leadership of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to strengthen border protection and intensify the campaign against smuggling, a Malacanang official said yesterday.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno took his oath as head of the BOC before the President on Monday, vice Bienvenido Rubio.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Nepomuceno was not the only new appointee to BOC, adding there were some deputy commissioners, directors and collectors who were recently appointed to the Bureau, but she did not name them.
“Ang marching order, unang-una po ay dapat proteksyunan po, strengthen iyong border protection at labanan nga po ang smuggling at nagsisimula na po ang pamahalaan sa paglaban, sa mas matinding laban sa smuggling (The marching order, first of all, is to strengthen border protection and fight smuggling. The government is now starting a more intensified campaign against smuggling),” Castro said.
She said Marcos also wants those in government, particularly the BOC, to be honest and loyal to the country, fight smuggling and be transparent, especially in the collection of revenues.
Castro said the change in the BOC’s leadership is part of the President’s continuing evaluation of the performance of the government officials to ensure they not only meet agency goals but also provide immediate and effective services in response to the needs of Filipinos.
She said “everybody is on notice; everybody is on probation” and has to work better for the country and the Filipinos.
Asked if the President was dissatisfied with Rubio’s performance, which led to his leaving the government, Castro said she is not saying that, but “whatever the reason of the President, it is likely that it is in connection with efforts to improve the services to the public.”
Castro said there is no shortlist yet on the next Ombudsman amid the intentions of Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla to apply for the post, which is set to be vacated by Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who retires on July 27.
The Judicial and Bar Council has set the deadline for submission of applications on July 4.
Castro said it is the decision of Remulla if he wants to apply for the post.
