President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has removed Vice President Sara and the past presidents including Rodrigo Duterte as members of the National Security Council (NSC) to make sure that the body remains resilient over evolving security and sovereignty challenges.
This is after Marcos reorganized the NSC through Executive Order No. 81, issued on December 30, 2024.
In the three-page directive, Marcos emphasized the importance of ensuring the NSC’s capability to address security issues effectively in the face of evolving challenges, necessitating the reorganization.
“[T]here is a need to further guarantee that the NSC remains a resilient national security institution, capable of adapting to evolving challenges and opportunities both domestically and internationally, and to ensure that its council members uphold and protect national security and sovereignty, thereby fostering an environment conducive to effective governance and stability,” the EO read.
Under the EO, the council, chaired by the President, includes key legislative leaders such as the Senate President, House Speaker, and other Senate and House officials.
It also comprises chairpersons of relevant Senate and House committees, the Executive Secretary, the National Security Adviser, and secretaries of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice, Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, and Presidential Communications Office.
The President may also appoint other officials like Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office head, and private citizens as needed.
The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency director-general, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, Philippine National Police chief, and National Bureau of Investigation director will participate in council meetings as needed to provide advice and support during deliberations. (TCSP)
