Marcos receives credentials of newly-designated envoys to Manila

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday received the credentials of two newly-appointed ambassadors to the Philippines in Malacañang.

Peru Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Carmen del Rocio Azurin Araujo first presented her credentials, followed by Maria Lourdes Bernadette Banson, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta (SMOM).

Araujo is Peru’s first resident ambassador to the Philippines in more than two decades, following the reopening of the Peruvian Embassy in Manila in 2025.

Marcos said the reopening of the embassy “marks a very important landmark” in the relations between the Philippines and Peru.

“I am certain that with the reopening of the embassy, we will have many opportunities together to deepen, strengthen, and widen the relationship between Peru and the Philippines,” the President said.

Araujo, on the other hand, committed to enhance engagement and cooperation between Lima and Manila during her tenure.

The Philippines and Peru established formal diplomatic relations in November 1974, and will mark 52 years of bilateral relations this year.

Marcos also eyed the further strengthening of cooperation in humanitarian and social initiatives between the Philippines and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

“With your background in the Philippines, I am sure that there will be much that we can do together in furthering the ideals and the aspirations that the Order has been created for,” the President told Banson.

The Philippines and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta have maintained diplomatic relations for 61 years since they established ties in April 1965. — JMA, GMA News