Outgoing Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III sees the appointment of retired University of the Philippines (UP) professor Clarita Carlos as national security adviser (NSA) and former Congressman Conrado Estrella as Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) secretary as ‘’excellent choices.’’
The naming of Carlos and Estrella by President-elect Ferdinand ‘’Bongbong’’ R. Marcos Jr. is part of a continuing selection of persons to form young Marcos’ circle of Cabinet members and adviser when he takes over Malacanang at noon June 30, 2022 .
Sotto’s assessment of Carlos and Estrella was shared by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel ‘’Migz’’ Zubiri.
Zubiri is expected to be nominated as Senate President in the 19th Congress which starts on July 25.
‘’Professor Clarita Carlos is an exceptional choice for the position of NSA Head, especially since she is an expert in Geo-politics,’’ Zubiri said in a text message to Senate reporters.
‘’And let us not question her gender for that male-dominated position as I’m sure she’s tough as nails. Congratulations to Prof. Carlos and President BBM for the excellent choice! ,’’ he added.
Senator-elect Francis ‘’Chiz’’ Escudero, current Sorsogon governor and a former senator, said he knows Carlos and Estrella personally.
’Prof. Carlos was my Professor at UP and Cong. Estrella was a colleague in Congress. They are both qualified and up to the task! I wish them well and look forward to working with them,’’ he said in his Viber account.
’if Carlos can effectively advise BBM (Bongbong Marcos) on how to address trhe issue of West Philippine Sea (WPS)...,’’ he pointed out.
In 2016, the United Nations arbitration court rejected China’s ‘’historical’’ claim over most parts of the South China Sea, including the WPS that the Philippines states is part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
"That and other national security concerns as she brings with her a different perspective (i.e. not purely military but that of the academe) plus decades of exposure in this field both locally and internationally,’’ Escudero said.
Senator-elect Loren Legarda, a former senator, pointed out that she has worked with Professor Claire Carlos, for decades.
Carlos will also be the Director-General of the National Security Council (NSC).
‘’She was my consultant in the Senate, and I learned much. As a national security practitioner, I know that she is an outstanding national security expert, with a keen mind that specializes on global, and geo politics. I hope that she will focus on the climate crisis, as well. We are here to support,’’ Legarda said.
Legarda was former chairwoman of the Senate foreign relations committee.
From 1998 to 2001, Carlos served as the first female and first civilian President of the National Defense College.
‘’Former congressman Conrad Estrella knows agriculture, rural livelihoods, and LGU (local government unit) concerns. He will do well in DAR, and hopefully will transform the agrarian reform communities or ARC into productive, climate resilient areas to further help our farmers,’’ Legarda said.