President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., December 4, 2024. Santi San Juan, PPA pool

MANILA (UPDATE) — The Philippine vice president and former presidents are no longer members of the National Security Council, following a reorganization ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr earlier this week to ensure that the body could adapt to evolving challenges. 

Executive Order No. 81 noted the need to guarantee “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 EO signed last December 30, 2024 and released to the media on Friday, the National Security Council 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 advise and assist in its deliberations. 

The Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas may also be invited to participate in the NSC, the EO stated.

The Executive Committee of the NSC was also reorganized and is now composed of the following members. 

- 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 

In a statement, National Security Adviser Sec. Eduardo Año defended the President’s reorganization of the NSC, noting that it is “an advisory body to the President, and its composition is always subject to the authority of President.”

“The Administrative Code of 1987 vests the President with the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President of which the NSC is a part. Moreover, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all executive departments, bureaus and offices,” he added.

Año likewise explained the reorganization was done to “enhance the formulation of policies relating to national security so that actions and decisions thereon by the Presidents rests on sound advice and accurate information,” to address current and emerging threats to the country’s national security.