I wasn't surprised when Dr. Clarita Carlos got the nod of President-elect 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. as National Security Adviser (NSA). In addition to her extensive academic credentials in political science — particularly in geopolitics, foreign policy and political psychology — and her stint as president of the National Defense College, Marcos and she had obvious rapport during the SMNI (Sonshine Media Network International) Presidential Interviews.

I look forward to the many things Carlos can bring into discussions in Malacañang. For one thing, she is a social scientist who believes in a holistic and data-guided approach to understanding and discussing issues. She is also a straight talker who cuts deep into problems instead of idly commenting on the surface appearances of things.