MANILA (UPDATE) - Permanent Representative to the United Nations Teddy Locsin Jr. was sworn in Wednesday as the new Foreign Affairs Secretary, flying off to Belgium in the evening for his first overseas event as top diplomat.

Locsin will replace former Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who is seeking a seat as Taguig representative in the 2019 polls. He earlier confirmed that he had accepted the appointment.

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Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed to ABS-CBN News that Locsin took his oath before the President on Wednesday afternoon.

After being sworn in, Locsin joined President Rodrigo Duterte in separate meetings with foreign dignitaries: a Japanese parliamentarian, an Israeli oil exploration group, and a United Arab Emirates envoy.

He left for Brussels Wednesday evening for a summit of world leaders, representing the President.

Prior to becoming an ambassador, Locsin was an ABS-CBN journalist, lawmaker, and newspaper publisher.

He served as Makati representative from 2001 to 2010.

Locsin was also speechwriter and press secretary of then President Corazon Aquino after the People Power Revolution against the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.

Duterte appointed Locsin as Philippine envoy to the UN in 2016.

Several senators have lauded Locsin's appointment, expressing confidence in the diplomat's capabilities.

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