President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued on Friday an executive order reorganizing the National Security Council (NSC), removing Vice President Sara Duterte as council member.
Aside from Duterte, Executive Order No. 81 also excluded past presidents in its composition.
Under the EO signed last December 30, which was just released to the public on Friday, the NSC shall now be composed of the following: President as Chairperson; Senate President; Speaker of the House of Representatives; Senate President Pro-Tempore; Three Deputy Speakers to be designated by the Speaker; Majority Floor Leader of the Senate; Majority Floor Leader of the House; Minority Floor Leader of the Senate; Minority Floor Leader of the House; Chairperson, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; Chairperson, Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation; Chairperson, Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs; Chairperson, House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Chairperson, House Committee on National Defense and Security; Chairperson, House Committee on Public Order and Safety; Executive Secretary; National Security Adviser; Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs; Secretary, Department of Justice; Secretary, Department of National Defense; Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government; Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment; Chief Presidential Legal Counsel; Secretary, Presidential Communications Office; Head, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office; and other government officials and private citizens as the President may appoint or designate from time to time.
The order states that “the Director-General of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Chief of the Philippine National Police, and the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation shall attend the meetings of the Council as may be necessary to advise and assist in its deliberations.”
It also states that the Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas may also be invited to participate in the NSC.
Based on the 1987 Constitution, aside from their Constitutional roles, the vice president also performs ceremonial functions, occasionally representing the president, the government, and the country in official gatherings and diplomatic functions including as a member of the NSC.
Marcos said there is a need to further guarantee that NSC remains a resilient national security institution, capable of adapting to evolving challenges and opportunities both here and abroad, and to ensure that NSC members “uphold and protect national security and sovereignty, thereby fostering an environment conducive to effective governance and stability.”
As of this writing, the vice president has not issued a statement on this matter.
