Four former presidents join the incumbent
MANILA, Philippines (July 27) – The Malacañan Palace confirms that all four former presidents of the republic are attending the first National Security Council (NSC) meeting later Wednesday afternoon.
The four predecessors of Duterte join him in the NSC meeting.
Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said Former Presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III signify attendance to the said meeting.
The multipartisan dialogue at NSC aims to have a consensus in the formulation of policies and strategies to address important national concerns including the July 12 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration regarding the West Philippine Sea.
Ramos has recently accepted the role of being the special envoy to China and the NSC meeting is a preparation before he faces the Chinese delegation to negotiate on the issue the disputed territory.
NSC is a collegial body where the president serves as the chairman while the ex-presidents are members, including representatives from the executive and legislative branches of the government, Vice-President Leni Robredo, Senate President Koko Pimentel, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the Lower House, chairperson of the Senate and House Committees involved in national security concerns and other members of the Cabinet.
In the first convention of the NSC under the Duterte Administration, the Council will present an overview of the Road Map for Peace and Development through Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza and also an update in the campaign versus illegal drugs through the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director general.
As the NSC meeting progresses, US Secretary of State John Kerry is in the country. He earlier insisted that there must be a peaceful resolve to the conflict between the Philippines and China.
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