Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said he will be formally stepping down from his post on June 30, a month ahead of the scheduled transition announced by Malacañang earlier.

He made the announcement during a farewell luncheon meeting with the diplomatic press corps in Manila on Thursday, June 26, but did not give details why he will vacate the post earlier than the July 31 schedule.

DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro will replace him as DFA chief.

But although Manalo has yet to be confirmed by the Commission of Appointments as the new Philippine Permanent Representative in the United Nations in New York, he shared plans to push for stronger adherence to the UN Charter and international laws, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He also disclosed his priorities as ambassador to the UN, adding that “the world has changed since I left” as envoy and taking on the reins of the Foreign Affairs department.

“What I hope to do and continue to do is to advance Philippine priorities, mainly, of course, advocating adherence to international law, and in that respect, we also managed here in the Philippines the past four years to set up an informal group of embassies dedicated to promoting greater awareness of international law, not only here in the Philippines, but in fora around the world,” he shared.

“So, we will again advocate greater adherence to not only the UN Charter, but international law, especially, for example, in the maritime area of the 1982 UNCLOS,” he added, referring to the international convention used by the Philippines as basis for its 2016 Arbitral Tribunal case against China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

But aside from the territorial and maritime issues faced by Manila in the contested waters, Manalo also recognizd how the world is now faced with conflicts, economic uncertainties, disinformation, climate change, and health security issues.

“So in the face of all of these challenges, the DFA is even more committed to enhancing our constructive diplomacy, principled engagement, and cooperation, but not to the fullest sense of our basic national interests. So, our national interests, of course, would underline our efforts of constructive diplomacy,” he furthered.

He will likewise push for the Philippines’ involvement in peace-building activities as he sought to promote inclusive economic growth, addressing inequalities, and advancing climate action.

The outgoing DFA chief underscored the Philippines’ role in building “greater financing of climate action, and also addressing natural disasters and environmental degradation” as it won its bid to become the inaugural host of UN’s Loss and Damage Fund.

“We'll also seek to uphold democratic values, as we have in the past years, especially the rights of all, including women, children, migrants, and marginalized groups, and also the role of women. We'll build on our conferences here last year,” Manalo said, referring to the Conference on Women, Peace, and Security.

Noting that Manila is now chair of the Middle Income Countries Group in New York, the official expressed hopes to “build on that” following the adoption of the Makati Declaration on Middle Income Countries, Pasay Declaration on Women Peace and Security, and Manila Declarations on a number of issues, including the peaceful settlement of international disputes, sustainable development, world tourism, and countering the rise of radicalization, among others.

Manalo also said that he will lead the country’s advocacy on the protection of migrant rights, their safety, orderly, and regular migration, as well as the human rights of seafarers and maritime security.

Recognizing the financial and resource management issues of the UN, the DFA chief committed “to help and strengthen the UN.”

In his meeting with the media, the official looked back on his “professional journey” and how “another chapter” will be added as he takes on his role in the UN.

He shared that when he was a “young” diplomat, he met General Carlos Romulo, dubbed as “Mr. United Nations” and was the first Asian to be elected as UN General Assembly president in 1949, and took his oath before him.

He is now the last actively serving foreign ministry official to have met Romulo.

“Anyway, so as I move into another chapter, let me just once again thank you all for your, not only your professionalism and your collaboration, but for your friendship. I deeply appreciated your personal friendship,” he said, adding that life was made “easier” for him in the department by the collaboration with the media.