Because national concerns outweigh awkwardness.
On Wed, Jul 27, former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph “Erap” Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III all went to Malacañang Palace to attend the National Security Council meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) chief Martin Andanar showed shared photos showing the four former Presidents in one table.
“Malacañang earlier said Duterte would convene the NSC in order to agree on vital policies and strategies on important matters, including the recent ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the West Philippine Sea,” reports Willard Cheng on ABS-CBNnews.com.
The report noted: “The council is composed of 35 leader-members from the executive and legislative branches of government, such as Vice President Leni Robredo, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, the majority and minority leaders of both Houses of Congress, chairs of Senate and House committees involved in national security concerns, and various members of the Cabinet.”
