President Bong Bong Marcos

MANILA, Philippines – The Vice President as well as former Presidents are no longer members of the panel of the National Security Council as reorganized by President Marcos Jr. earlier this week. 

Executive Order No. 81 states that the NSC needs to remain “capable of adapting to evolving challenges 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.” 

Under the EO signed last December 30, 2024, 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 (3) 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
– Other government officials and private citizens as the President may appoint or designate from time to time.

Meanwhile, 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 advice and assist in its operations. 

The Executive Committee is now composed of: 

• President as Chairperson
  – ExecutiveSecretary
  – Senate President or his representative
  – Speaker of the House of Representatives or his representative

• – 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 
• – Other members or advisers as the President may designate from time to time 

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said EO 81 was issued to reorganize and streamline the membership of the NSC. 

“At the moment, the VP is not considered relevant to the responsibilities of membership in the NSC,” he said. 

However should the need arise, “The EO reserves the President the power to add members or advisers.” 

What the Constitution says

However this goes against certain provisions in the 1987 Constitution that clearly specify the key members of the council. 

Section 4 of Executive No. 292 under Administrative Code of 1987 says that “The National Security Council, hereinafter referred to as Council, shall be composed of the President as Chairman, the Vice-President, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Executive Secretary, the Secretary of National Defense, the Secretary of Justice, the Secretary of Labor and Employment, the Secretary of Local Governments, the National Security Director, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and such other government officials and private individuals as the President may appoint.” 

Moreover, its Executive Committee must be “composed of the President as Chairman, and the Vice-President and Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Executive Secretary, the Secretary of National Defense, the National Security Director, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and such other members or advisers as the President may appoint from time to time.” 

The Office of the Vice President has not released any reaction yet as to her removal from the NSC. 

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