Conrado Estrella III and Clarita Carlos. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
Incumbent and incoming senators on Thursday lauded the nomination of retired political science professor Clarita Carlos and Rep. Conrado Estrella III to lead the National Security Council and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), respectively, under the administration of incoming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In separate statements, reelected Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri and returning Senators Loren Legarda and Chiz Escudero vouched for the competence of Carlos and Estrella even before they could formally offer their credentials to the Commission on Appointments.
“Professor Clarita Carlos is an exceptional choice for the position of (national security adviser), especially since she is an expert in geopolitics,” Zubiri said. “I’m sure she’s tough as nails.”
Up to the task
House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, who is being touted as the incoming Senate president pro tempore, also expressed support for Carlos, saying they have worked together “for decades.”
“She was my consultant in the Senate, and I learned much (from her). As a national security practitioner, I know that she is an outstanding national security expert, with a keen mind that specializes in global and geopolitics,” said Legarda, an alumna of the National Defense College of the Philippines, of which Carlos was the first female and first civilian president.
As for Estrella, Legarda described him as knowledgeable in agriculture, rural livelihoods and local government concerns.
“He will do well in DAR, and hopefully will transform the agrarian reform communities, or ARCs, into productive, climate-resilient areas to further help our farmers,” she said.
Escudero, the current Sorsogon governor, said he was Carlos’ former student at the University of the Philippines, while Estrella used to be his colleague in the House of Representatives.
“They are both qualified and up to the task. I wish them well and look forward to working with them,” he said.
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