A legal victory may be handed down in a courtroom. Ensuring that it continues to shape international discourse requires diplomacy. That was the message behind the Philippines’ commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. Rather than simply marking the...
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro brushed aside Chinese academics ' claims that Batanes belongs to China, saying the Philippine government deals with official state positions rather than the views of individual scholars. Responding to questions about the...
The Philippines firmly declared that the landmark 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award is "not subject to negotiation or compromise," as it marked the ruling 's 10th anniversary and reaffirmed its commitment to defending the country 's maritime rights through international law. Speaking at...
The Philippines and Canada are set to elevate their bilateral relations through a strategic partnership that will deepen cooperation in defense, maritime security, trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said. In an interview...
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro has described the swift release of the 24 Filipinos detained in Russia as a testament to the evolving relations between Manila and Moscow after President Marcos personally appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for their...
The 24 Filipinos who were freed after spending nine months in detention in Russia have finally returned home and reunited with their families following the intervention of President Marcos. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the first batch of six Filipinos arrived at the Ninoy...
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro underscored the importance of regional cooperation, solidarity, and adherence to international law as she joined Asian leaders and policymakers at the 31st Nikkei Future of Asia Forum in Tokyo on Wednesday, June 10. In a statement,...
The Philippines and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic cooperation, maritime collaboration, and regional security following a meeting between their top diplomats. Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco...
The Philippines failed to secure a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2027-2028 term after losing to Kyrgyzstan in four rounds of voting at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday past midnight, June 4. Kyrgyzstan got 142 votes in the fourth round of...
The Philippines and Japan are ramping up preparations for President Marcos 's upcoming State Visit to Tokyo later this month, with both countries eyeing stronger cooperation in energy, defense, and security. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said she met with...
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on Thursday, May 7 called on ASEAN member-states to remain agile and united in responding to global crises, saying the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has exposed the region’s vulnerabilities in...
The Philippines marked a symbolic moment in its upcoming ASEAN chairship with the unveiling and formal turnover of a commemorative sculpture at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on April 22. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, in her capacity as Chair of ASEAN 2026, led the ceremony,...
