Cess Gatchalian

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has restructured the National Security Council (NSC) through Executive Order No. 81, removing Vice President Sara Duterte and former presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Joseph Estrada from their positions in a bid to streamline its composition and address evolving security challenges.

Photos Courtesy of AFP/Presidential Communications Secretary.

Under the new setup, Marcos will spearhead the NSC, and include key officials such as the Senate president, House of Representatives speakers, and the Senate president pro tempore. 

The Executive Secretary, the National Security Adviser, and the secretaries of major departments including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense, and Department of Interior and Local Government will also be part of the council.

Marcos may designate other officials and private citizens as needed to address national security concerns.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin explained that the changes aim to ensure the NSC remains a “resilient national security institution” capable of addressing modern threats.

He said Vice President Duterte’s exclusion was based on her current irrelevance to the council’s responsibilities but noted that she could be reappointed if needed.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Duterte’s allies.

Former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo called the move “ill-advised” and accused Marcos of sidelining Duterte for political reasons.

“It smacks of dirty politics. Another brazen measure to diminish the political star power of VP Sara,” Panelo said.

He also alleged that the removal of former presidents Arroyo and Estrada was designed to obscure Duterte’s exclusion and deflect accusations of targeting.

The reorganization comes amid growing speculation of a rift between Marcos and Duterte, which intensified following her resignation as Education Secretary and controversial remarks about threats to her safety.

While critics claim the exclusion of key figures risks politicizing the council, supporters argue the streamlined body will improve efficiency and governance.

The NSC, established in 1950, has undergone various changes over the years.

This latest restructuring underscores both the complexity of national security challenges and the internal dynamics shaping the administration’s priorities.