Former Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo Reacted to VP Sara Duterte, Ex-Presidents’ Removal from NSC
PANELO – The former preisdential legal counsel slammed the order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos removing Vice Pres. Sara Duterte from the National Security Council (NSC).
Amid the souring relationship between Pres. Bongbong Marcos and Vice Pres. Sara Duterte which the public noticed since the latter resigned from being the secretary pf the Department of Education (DepEd), the Chief Executive recently made a move removing the VP from the NSC.
The National Security Council or the NSC is the President’s main forum with regards to the national security concerns. Marcos Jr. ordered a revamp of the members of the NSC as he signed an executive order.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos removed the vice president and some former presidents from the NSC through the Executive Order No. 81. It was signed last December 30 but was only released recently,
The E.O. No. 81 stressed the importance of ensuring “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”.
Under the executive order, the National Security Council will 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
Recently, former presidential legal counsel Attorney Salvador Panelo reacted to the reorganization of the National Security Council. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman when he was the chief executive slammed Marcos Jr.’s decision calling it an “ill-advised presidential move”.
“Dirty politics. Another brazen measure to diminish the political star power of VP Sara,” Panelo said.
Based on the report, Atty. Salvador Panelo also claimed that the removal of former presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Joseph “Erap” Estrada is allegedly to make it appear that Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is not being targeted.
Previously, the National Security Council considered the threats to Marcos Jr.’s life including the statement of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte a national security concern. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte was even issued a subpoena by the NBI for her remarks against the Marcoses.