President Ferdinand 'Bongbong Marcos Jr. 4th from left poses with Senator Miree Marcos, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Imelda Marcos, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Irene Marcos, Maria Louise Marcos and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez at a proclamation ceremony on May 25, 2022 in Quezon City, Philippines. AARON FAVILA AP PHOTO MANILA Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos swore in career diplomat Luis Enrique Manalo as the country's new foreign secretary on Friday.
Manalo, 69, was the permanent Philippine representative to the United Nations. He previously served as the Undersecretary for Policy at the Department of Foreign Affairs and was also acting as a Foreign Secretary during the Duterte administration.
Manalo has been working with the DFA since 1979 and has been an ambassador for various countries and international organizations, including Britain and the European Union.
In a speech in June, Marcos pledged to strengthen and deepen the relationship between the Philippines and China.
He said that the relations with China are very important and advantageous for both countries, considering China as his country's strongest partner in the pandemic recovery.
We look forward to continuing to foster this relationship. Marcos said that he sees the future of Philippines-China relations developing in many ways and that they will benefit our two great countries, making it deeper and to the advantage of our two great countries. ALSO READ: ASEAN FMs urge parties concerned with the de-escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.