Nothing personal in VP exclusion from NSC – Malacañang

Metro Manila, Philippines - Malacañang has denied claims by Duterte allies that politics was behind the removal of the vice president from the National Security Council (NSC).

In a press briefing, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin clarified that the sole authority to reorganize the NSC rests with the president, who has the discretion to decide based on trust and confidence in each member.

"I would like to emphasize this. Look at it this way, the National Security Council is an advisory body and this is an advisory body in relation to the president as the commander-in-chief. So, the president has the right as well as the responsibility of seeing to it that whoever advises him has his fullest trust and confidence," said Bersamin in a press briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Bersamin explained that while this decision should not be seen as a personal issue, recent developments made it difficult for Vice President Sara Duterte to remain as a member of the NSC.

"I’m not saying that the vice president… does not anymore deserve to be trusted. But I’m just saying that with the recent developments, it is not going to be good advice or good action on the part of the president to still have her on board," he added.

Bersamin stated that for the time being, vice president Duterte no longer holds relevance as a member of the council.

"Walang personalan (nothing personal), but what I said before is that the vice president has ceased to be relevant in terms of the responsibilities of membership in the National Security Council,” he added.

Marcos and Duterte - who won under the UniTeam ticket in the 2022 elections - have had a political fallout, with the vice president even issuing death threats against the president, first lady, and House speaker.

Bersamin also responded to criticisms from former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, who questioned the president's decision.

"I read something that reminded me that Panelo, during his time as presidential adviser, also advocated for the exclusion of former Vice President Leni Robredo from the NSC. So, he has no moral authority to question the president’s decision,” he added.

In response, Panelo sent a text message saying otherwise.

“ES Bersamin is misinformed, I never advocated the exclusion of former VP Robredo in the National Security Council," he said.

Meanwhile, the executive order that reorganized the NSC also removed the membership of living former presidents.

Marcos is also at odds with the father of the vice president, former President Rodrigo Duterte, while former president and now Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is a known Duterte ally.