The President of the Philippines removed the Duterte father and son from the advisory council

The office of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on January 3 announced a decree reforming the National Security Council (NSC), the first time since this mechanism was established in 2001 under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. . The executive order removes the vice president and previous presidents from the body that advises the president on security-related policies.

The decree was signed by NSC Secretary General Lucas Bersamin on December 30, 2024. He said this move is aimed at “reorganizing and streamlining” the NSC composition, leaving only key officials in the legislative, defense, foreign affairs and cabinet sectors.

With the new decree, Vice President Sara Duterte and former President Rodrigo Duterte are no longer NSC members. Neither Ms. Sara nor Mr. Rodrigo have commented on the developments.

“Currently, the Vice President is no longer considered suitable for the responsibilities of membership in the National Security Council,” Bersamin responded to the press conference, but emphasized that President Marcos has the right to add members or appoint additional members. Other consultations at NSC meetings depending on the situation.

This move comes when Ms. Duterte is facing an investigation related to accusations of threatening to kill President Marcos and his family.

At the end of November 2024, Ms. Sara, the 46-year-old daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, held an online press conference with many controversial words. She announced that she had contacted assassins to request that she be ready to take down Mr. Marcos, the First Lady and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in case she was assassinated first.

The NSC later condemned Duterte’s statements, considering them a threat to national security. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is looking into these claims. Meanwhile, Ms. Sara explained that her statement was misinterpreted and taken out of context.

Over the past two years, Vice President Duterte has publicly criticized the NSC for not inviting her to meetings, even though she is technically a member of the council. Former President Rodrigo Duterte also caused controversy with comments that his home island of Mindanao should secede, then faced harsh criticism from the Philippine Presidential Palace.