All-women PH diplomats to join Marcos in Malaysia for 47th ASEAN Summit
DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and the other Filipina diplomats who will join President Marcos at the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo from Sec. Lazaro via X post)
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro is leading the all-women delegation from the agency to join President Marcos during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The DFA chief arrived on Thursday, Oct. 23, together with her “formidable team of female diplomats”: Undersecretary Hellen De La Vega, Assistant Secretary Anne Hernando, Permanent Representative Evan Ducrocq, Ambassador Angie Ponce, Deputy Permanent Representative Noc Maningat and Secretary Liza Salvador.
She posted a photo of the all-women team in front of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur on her official X (formerly Twitter) page.
The Philippine Embassy in Malaysia also shared on its X page about Lazaro’s arrival in Malaysia, which is the current host of the ASEAN.
On Facebook, the embassy shared a report from Malaysia’s Bernama TV.
“Speaking to Bernama TV upon her arrival (4:50 p.m) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro said ASEAN's contribution may be incremental, but its collective approach remains vital in sustaining peace and dialogue in the region,” the post read.
The Philippines will take over Malaysia’s role as ASEAN chair for 2026.
Lazaro and her team’s arrival in Kuala Lumpur came ahead of President Marcos’ scheduled departure from Manila on Saturday, Oct. 25, to participate in the summits that will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
The President will be in Malaysia from Oct. 26 to 28 to attend 14 leaders-level meetings and three signing ceremonies, including signing the admission of Timor-Leste into the regional bloc.
Marcos is also expected to witness the signing of the Second Protocol to amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 upgrade.
He will be discussing various global issues—the Myanmar situation, economic turmoil, and other geopolitical and geoeconomic issues of the region.