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Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com
May 23, 2025 | 4:57pm
A composite photo of incoming Foreign Affairs Secretary Tess Lazaro and incoming Permanent Representative to the United Nations Enrique Manalo
DFA / AP
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is set to have a new chief in veteran diplomat Tess Lazaro, while incumbent Secretary Enrique Manalo will be appointed as the new Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, replacing Antonio Lagdameo.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Friday, May 23, that Lagdameo had expressed his intention to retire, which will take effect on August 1.
“Yung position na 'yan ay napakataas sa pagtingin ng ating pangulo. Kaya si Secretary Manalo mismo ang ilalagay natin diyan,” Bersamin said in a press briefing.
(That position is very high in the eyes of the president. That is why Secretary Manalo himself will be placed there.)
Manalo has already held the UN envoy post before his stint as Marcos’ foreign affairs chief.
Bersamin explained that Manalo’s appointment was due to the Philippines campaigning to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2027 to 2028.
Meanwhile, Lazaro is an executive at the DFA, currently serving as the Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs.
Lazaro’s appointment as DFA chair comes several months before the Philippines assumes chairship of the ASEAN in 2026.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is reshuffling his Cabinet following a surprising midterm loss where his senatorial picks failed to get the majority of the 12 seats. The midterm polls are often treated as a referendum for the administration.
Marcos admitted that the people had spoken and deemed that his government was underperforming, thus necessitating a review of the Cabinet.
DHSUD shakeup
Marcos has also decided to switch up the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
Current DHSUD Secretary Jerry Acuzar has been appointed as the presidential adviser for the administration’s Pasig River rehabilitation efforts, according to Bersamin.
Acuzar maintains the rank of a secretary. Taking over for DHSUD is Ramon Aliling, who is currently an undersecretary for the agency. He is also the CEO of Jose Aliling Construction Management Group.
