Marcos removes vice president, ex-presidents from National Security Council

Other members include:

• Senate President
• Speaker of the House of Representatives
• Senate President Pro-Tempore
• three 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 of the Senate committee on foreign relations
• chairperson of the Senate committee on national defense and security, peace, unification and reconciliation
• chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs
• chairperson of the House committee on foreign affairs
• chairperson of the House committee on national defense and security
• chairperson of the House committee on public order and safety
• Executive Secretary
• National Security Adviser and secretaries of foreign affairs, justice, national defense, interior and interior and local government, and labor and employment
• Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
• secretary of the Presidential Communications Office
• head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office
• other government officials and private citizens as the President may appoint or designate from time to time.

If needed, 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 are also designated to attend meetings of the council to assist in the discussion.

This goes the same for the governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

With regards to the executive committee of the NSC, it will be comprised of the Executive Secretary, the Senate President or his representative, the Speaker of the House or his representative, the National Security Adviser, secretaries of foreign affairs, justice, defense, interior and local government, and "such other members or advisers as the President may designate from time to time."

The president will still serve as chairperson of this sub-group.

Marcos explained that the reorganization came about as there was a need to "further guarantee that the NSC remains a resilient national security institution, capable of adapting to evolving challenges and opportunities both domestically and internationally."

He also wanted to ensure that its council members "uphold and protect national security and sovereignty, thereby fostering an environment conducive to effective governance and stability."

Meanwhile, Bersamin explained that the new arrangement was made to "streamline" the NSC as the vice president is "not considered relevant to the responsibilities of membership" of the group "at the moment."

"Nonetheless, when the need arises, the EO reserves to the President the power to add members or advisers," he assured.

The order comes after Marcos had a falling-out with his vice president and former election running-mate Sara Duterte in the last few months.

Duterte previously resigned from the Marcos cabinet as education secretary and vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict without explanation in June.

Since then, she turned hostile toward Marcos, throwing insults here and expletives there. In November, she also mentioned contracting a hitman to assassinate him and his family if she were killed.

This bit, along with her supposed misuse of funds, has led Duterte to be slapped with three impeachment complaints for alleged corruption and misconduct. She's also facing criminal complaints of direct assault, disobedience, and grave coercion. (with reports from Helen Flores)