BBM Reorganizes NSC, Drops VP, Ex-Presidents

The vice president and past presidents of the country are no longer part of the National Security Council, under a new executive order issued by President Marcos to ensure that the NSC could "adapt to evolving challenges."

- HELEN FLORES

Executive Order 81, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Dec. 30, reorganized the NSC. Bersamin said EO 81 aims to "streamline" NSC membership.

"At the moment, the VP is not considered relevant to the responsibilities of membership in the NSC," he said. "Nonetheless, when the need arises, the EO reserves to the President the power to add members or advisers."

The NSC is now composed of the following: the President as chairperson, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senate president pro tempore, three deputy speakers to be designated by the Speaker, and the majority and minority floor leaders of the Senate and the House.

Also included are the chairpersons of the Senate committees on foreign relations, national defense and security, peace, unification and reconciliation as well as the committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

Other NSC members are the chairpersons of the House committees on foreign affairs, national defense and security as well as public order and safety; the executive secretary; national security adviser; the secretaries of foreign affairs, justice, national defense, the interior and local government, and labor and employment; the chief presidential legal counsel, the secretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office and “such other government officials and private citizens as the President may appoint or designate from time to time.”

Under EO 81, the director general of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency as well as the chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation shall attend the NSC meetings 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.