Marcos’ Shake-Up in the National Security Council:
For the sake of National Security? Or Outright Politics?
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent decision to remove Vice President Sara Duterte and three former presidents from the National Security Council (NSC) has sparked controversy, with critics calling it a political maneuver rather than a strategic realignment of national security priorities.
Through Executive Order No. 81, signed on December 30, 2024, Marcos removed Vice President Duterte—daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte—as well as former Presidents Duterte, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Joseph Estrada from the NSC.
While the order does not explicitly mention China or the West Philippine Sea (WPS), many see it as a response to Beijing’s increasing aggression in Philippine waters—an issue where the Duterte administration was widely criticized for its soft stance.
Of moves Echoing the Past
This political shake-up has reignited memories of how former President Rodrigo Duterte sidelined then-Vice President Leni Robredo from all government meetings, including the NSC. In 2016, Duterte’s Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco Jr. sent Robredo a text message informing her that she was barred from attending Cabinet meetings, despite serving as the chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). As a result, Robredo resigned on December 5, 2016, citing “major differences in principles and values” with the administration.
Now, Marcos’ EO 81 effectively sidelines Sara Duterte in a similar fashion. In an open letter last November, the vice president had already raised concerns about being excluded from NSC meetings despite her membership. The executive order simply made it official.
Meanwhile, those who support the Duterte faction claims that the controversy also brings back memories of how Marcos Jr.’s own father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., removed his vice president, Fernando Lopez, from the National Security Council through Executive Order No. 13 in 1966.
Yet, one might ask: Was Lopez complaining? The year was 1966. Martial Law was declared in 1972. He was also Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources from 1965 to 1971.
Unlike today’s political climate, where every move is scrutinized and turned into a battleground for influence, Lopez’s removal did not cause an uproar. Whether this was due to the political culture of the time, Lopez’s own political calculations, or the looming consolidation of power that would lead to Martial Law is up for debate.
‘Dirty Politics’ or Justified Decision?
Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo strongly condemned the decision, calling it an attempt to weaken Sara Duterte’s “political star power.” He argued that the removal of Arroyo and Estrada was merely a cover to make it appear that Duterte was not being singled out.
In response to Panelo’s criticism, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin dismissed his arguments, stating that the former presidential spokesperson had “no moral authority” to question the decision. Bersamin pointed out that Panelo himself had previously supported the exclusion of former Vice President Leni Robredo from national security meetings under the Duterte administration.
This contradiction raises a critical question: Is this truly about governance, or is it merely political convenience at play?
While Marcos’ allies insist that the move is about streamlining national security decision-making, its political implications are undeniable. It marks a clear break between the Marcos and Duterte camps—former allies in the 2022 elections—while also removing Duterte loyalists who have historically had a more conciliatory approach toward China.
A New Direction for National Security?
The NSC, a crucial body responsible for advising the president on national security matters, has long been a mix of political and security figures. Whether removing former presidents and the sitting vice president will improve its effectiveness remains to be seen. But given the heightened tensions in the WPS, the move signals a shift in how the Marcos administration intends to handle the country’s most pressing security threats.
Was this a necessary restructuring to ensure a more decisive response to national security concerns? Or was it merely an act of political consolidation, sidelining potential rivals ahead of the 2028 elections?
One thing is clear: this decision is not just about national security—it is about power.