Outgoing Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the appointment of Dr. Clarita Carlos as the incoming National Security Adviser is a ‘homecoming’ as Carlos served as the first female civilian president of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) from 1998 to 2001.

In a Facebook post on June 25, Lorenzana shared photos of his “pleasant and insightful chat” with Carlos and said the DND is happy to have her back.

“Her appointment is actually like a homecoming to the Department since she previously served as the 16th President of the National Defense College of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001. Known for being feisty and media savvy, she holds the distinction of being the first and only female civilian to lead the higher institution for national defense and security,” he wrote.

Carlos is a retired Political Science professor at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

She also served as a consultant in Congress and other government agencies, including the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Under the administration of the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Carlos headed the Office of Strategic and Special Concerns at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Carlos also wrote books and papers on political parties’ elections, defense and security, and foreign policy.

In a separate Facebook post on June 24, Lorenzana also shared that he met with his successor, incoming DND Officer-In-Charge and Senior Undersecretary, and retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, Gen. Jose C. Faustino, Jr.

“Yesterday, we met with Gen. Jose C. Faustino and his incoming staff. He was briefed of the mission and functions of the Department and the principal duties of the Secretary,” Lorenzana wrote.

He also said the presentation was short since Faustino is “very familiar” with the Department, having just retired as AFP Chief in November 2021.

“As I said previously, he will hit the ground running as Head of the DND. Welcome aboard, Gen. Faustino and team. Good luck!” Lorenzana wrote.

Faustino will assume his seat as DND Secretary on November 13, following the one-year appointment ban on retired military officials. 

He took over the AFP leadership from Gen. Cirilito Sobejana who retired from military service on July 31, 2021.

Faustino is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1988. Before being named as the 56th AFP Chief, he headed the Joint Task Force Mindanao and served as the acting commanding general of the Philippine Army.

Photo Credit: Facebook/dellorenzana