Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson has commended Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro for successfully negotiating the safe passage of Philippine-flagged vessels, energy shipments, and Filipino seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement released on Good Friday, April 3, Lacson highlighted Lazaro’s use of “quiet diplomacy” in securing the arrangement, which he described as critical to the country’s energy security.
The route is responsible for transporting an estimated 80 to 100 percent of the Philippines’ oil imports.
“Our commendation and gratitude to DFA Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro for quietly and efficiently negotiating with Iran to allow passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz that deliver 80% to 100% of the Philippines oil imports,” Lacson wrote on social media.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that Lazaro held a “very productive” phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
During the call, Araghchi assured “safe, unhindered, and expeditious passage” for Philippine vessels, energy cargo, and Filipino seafarers traversing the vital waterway.
Lazaro emphasized that the agreement is essential not only for maintaining stable energy supply but also for ensuring the safety of Filipino maritime workers operating in the region. She had earlier sought Iran’s recognition of the Philippines as a “non-hostile country” to guarantee secure passage for vessels and oil deliveries.
The development comes as fuel prices in the Philippines surge past ₱100 per liter, driven by escalating tensions linked to the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
In a separate statement last Wednesday, Lacson urged Filipinos to remain hopeful and prayerful amid the crisis, referring to the situation as “Trump-26,” which he attributed to economic pressures stemming from the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Philippines, a longstanding treaty ally of the United States since 1951, continues to feel the ripple effects of the geopolitical turmoil, with energy costs reaching historic highs and placing additional strain on the national economy.