PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has nominated retired University of the Philippines professor Clarita Carlos and Rep. Conrado Estrella III party-list group as national security adviser and secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform .
The two accepted the offer after meeting with the incoming president for about two hours, the Marcos camp said in a photo release issued last night.
Carlos, who was earlier rumored to get the foreign affairs portfolio, is a retired political science professor at UP Diliman. She served as president of the National Defense College of the Philippines and is an executive director of the think tank StratSearch Foundation Inc.
Estrella served as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives in the 18th Congress and as Pangasinan’s 6th district representative in 1987 and 1995.
The camp earlier yesterday said Marcos will attend the planned face-to-face Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand in November this year.
Marcos, who will formally assume the presidency on June 30, has accepted an invitation extended by Thailand through Thai chargé d’affaires Thawat Sumitmo during a courtesy call on June 6, his camp said.
Thailand chairs the APEC this year.
Others present during the courtesy call were the ambassadors of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Singapore, and Vietnam.
The APEC 2022 summit will be held from November 18 to 19. With the theme “Open. Connect. Balance,” it will focus on the importance of facilitating the resumption of “safe and convenient cross-border travel to hasten the region’s speedy and robust economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
It will be the first time since 2018 that the annual summit will be conducted in person. The APEC 2019 summit in Chile was canceled due to protests in that country, while the APEC 2020 and APEC 2021 summits were held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The APEC Summit, which was established in 1989 to become the pre-eminent economic forum in the Asia-Pacific region, aims to promote sustainable economic growth, trade and investment, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
Marcos yesterday expressed optimism that friendly relations between the Philippines and China would not only be sustained but continue to be beneficial to the two countries and its people while Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio said she looks forward to more stronger ties.
At the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) celebration of the 124th Philippine Independence Day and the 21st Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day, Marcos said in a message he looks forward to more years “not only of diplomatic relations but of continuous, fruitful engagements between China and the Philippines.”
“The centuries-old relationship and friendship of the Philippines and China has been and will continue to be of great mutual benefit to our people from trade, arts, culture, athletics to regional peace and stability to the employment of opportunities for our people, and all the significantly generous efforts extended to us during the pandemic,” he said.
Duterte-Carpio, in a separate message, said she looks forward to a “mutual and continued prosperity” between Manila and Beijing through the ongoing programs, and to achieving new milestones through the efforts of the Filipino-Chinese community in the country.
“It is evident that the enduring kinship between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China has led to the success of various endeavors across all industries that contributed to our growing economy over the years especially during the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the marking of these important events, it is only apt to express our utmost gratitude to everyone who continues to play their respective roles in the preservation of our independence along with the promotion of the ongoing Philippines-China Diplomatic Relations” she added.
Outgoing President Duterte expressed hope that everyone would learn from the shared history and experiences of the two countries and use these to promote goodwill and pursue efforts to realize a more harmonious and progressive Philippines.
“I am one with the Filipinos both here and abroad as we celebrate the 124th anniversary of proclamation of Philippine Independence. This occasion is a testament to how our forefathers fought for the freedoms that we enjoy today. May it inspire us to take after the courage of our heroes as well as encourage us to use our ability, skills and knowledge for the benefit of our community,” he said in a video message.
Meanwhile, Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte (NP, Camarines Sur) said Marcos Jr. is on the right track in tapping local government officials to be members of his Cabinet.
“As a former governor himself (of Ilocos Norte), incoming President BBM knows that local chief executives can bring a new perspective to the way national government agencies implement their programs and projects,” he said.
Villafuerte welcomed the appointment of Liloan, Cebu Mayor Christina Frasco who was chosen to be the next tourism secretary, saying Cabinet officials from local government units (LGU) “know exactly what is happening on the ground and have first-hand knowledge of and experience in grassroots development.”
Aside from Frasco, the other former LGU officials so far appointed to the Marcos Cabinet are Sara Duterte-Carpio who will be the education secretary; former Mandaluyong mayor and Metro Manila Development Authority chair Benhur Abalos, interior and local government; and former Cavite governor and outgoing Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla who will be the new justice secretary.
Villafuerte, a former governor, said Frasco would be able to bring “innovative measures to revitalize the tourism industry, and focus on modernizing tourism-related infrastructure leading to lesser-known must-see destinations across the country.” — With Wendell Vigilia
