Bongbong Marcos Reorganizes National Security Council, Removes Vice President, Ex-Presidents

Pres. Bongbong Marcos Issues Order on NSC Reorganization

BONGBONG MARCOS – The President reorganized the National Security Council removing the vice president and ex-presidents.

The Philippine president has a principal forum with regards to the national security concerns. It is the NSC or the National Security Council which was composed of several key personalities including the vice president and the former chief executives.

However, recently, Pres. Bongbong Marcos has decided to reorganized the National Security Council. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Chief Executive removed the vice president and the former presidents in the NSC.

Marcos Jr. issued the Executive Order No. 81 which cited the need to ensure “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 Executive Order No. 81 was signed by Pres. Bongbong Marcos last December 30, 2024. It was on Friday when the E,O. was released. Based on the Chief Executive’s order, the National Security Council is now 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

Based on the report, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Chief of the Philippine National Police as well as the Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas shall attend meetings based on the necessity.

With regards to the Executive Committee of the National Security Council, under the recent Executive Order signed by Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr., it will be composed of the following: