The NSC meeting went very well. It had direction, it had substance, it had consensus and unity of purpose. As usual, as what is always expected of vintage Rody, we enjoyed the ad libs, not to mention the asides and not-so-subtle sniping at his favorite critic (you-know-who). The unprecedented presence of four former heads of state added to the luster of the occasion, but not without their own valuable input on what the country needs to do to advance our national interest in regard to the arbitral tribunal ruling on the West Philippine Sea issue, the peace talks and the fight against illegal drugs.

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