Tess Lazaro

Maria Theresa "Tess" Parreño Lazaro (born May 8, 1959) is a Filipino diplomat and lawyer who has served as the 29th secretary of foreign affairs since 2025. She previously served as the undersecretary for bilateral relations and ASEAN affairs from 2022 to 2025 and 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 South China Sea. In 2025, she was appointed foreign affairs secretary as part of a cabinet reshuffle, and was later appointed ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar.

Life and career 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. 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.

Lazaro's experience in the Americas began with her role as Deputy Consul General at the Philippine Consulate General in New York City, United States, from 1999 to 2002. In this capacity, she became the Philippines' representative to ASEAN senior official meetings and led negotiations for communiques within the regional bloc.

South China Sea negotiations

As undersecretary, Lazaro served as the Philippines' top negotiator with China, particularly regarding disputes in the South China Sea. She has described her diplomacy as being "frank and constructive", an attribute praised by her fellow diplomats, including Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian. In 2024, she led the negotiations for the Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea, an agreement aimed at preventing major conflicts in the disputed waters. However, Chinese vice foreign minister Chen Xiaodong, whom Lazaro met on negotiations, warned her that the Philippines should act cautiously since both Philippine and China relations were at a crossroads.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs (since 2025)

Appointment and confirmation

President Bongbong Marcos appointed Lazaro as secretary of foreign affairs on May 23, 2025, as part of a major Cabinet reshuffle, with her formal installation scheduled for July 31. Observers regarded Lazaro's appointment as a continuation of the Manalo secretariat, owing to her extensive experience in the department and her role during his time in office. Lazaro herself stated that she would continue the foreign policy implemented by her predecessor. 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. The Commission on Appointments confirmed her appointment on June 11, without major debate.

President Marcos swore in Lazaro as secretary on July 1, nearly a month ahead of schedule, after Manalo's early departure from the secretariat the previous day. Upon taking office, Marcos conferred her the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross. Lazaro became the second woman to serve as foreign affairs secretary, following Delia Albert, who held the position from 2003 to 2004.

Early tenure Lazaro (right) with Japanese then-foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya (left) and U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio (center) in Kuala Lumpur, July 2025 Lazaro gave her inaugural speech as secretary on July 3, at a celebration for the 127th founding anniversary of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Her tenure is expected to coincide with the Philippine chairmanship of the ASEAN in 2026. She vowed to prioritize maritime protection and other maritime concerns in the agenda of the ASEAN Summits in 2026.

In July 2025, Lazaro made her first official international trip as secretary to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to attend the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

West Philippine Sea dispute On the ninth anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitration award, Lazaro reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to the award as the foundation of its maritime policy and criticized China's ongoing rejection of the ruling, describing it as a revisionist and self-serving interpretation of international law. She emphasized the Philippines' intention to uphold a rules-based international order and highlighted the award's significance in safeguarding national maritime interests and regional stability. Lazaro stated that the Philippines would continue to reject attempts to undermine the award and would pursue diplomatic engagement, capacity-building, and partnerships with other nations to strengthen maritime domain awareness and defense capabilities. She also underscored the importance of adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, calling for international solidarity in promoting legal norms and resisting unlawful maritime claims.

One China Policy Amid cross-strait tensions, Lazaro has affirmed the Marcos government's commitment to defending the country's interests while maintaining its adherence to the "One China" policy. She expressed openness to initiating discussions with China regarding contingency plans for the safety and potential evacuation of approximately 200,000 Filipinos residing in Taiwan in the event of conflict. Lazaro emphasized that diplomatic mechanisms remain active, including coordination with security agencies and ongoing bilateral dialogues through established consultation frameworks. She underscored the importance of diplomacy in safeguarding national interests, complementing the Philippines' efforts to strengthen defense capabilities and regional partnerships. While upholding its non-recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign state, the Philippines has eased restrictions on official engagements with Taiwan related to trade and investment.

Honors National honors