VP Duterte’s removal from NSC marks intense political conflict – Castro

Vice President Sara Duterte answers questions from reporters during the media thanksgiving party at the Office of the Vice President headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s removal from the National Security Council (NSC) marks the beginning of a more intense fight between the country’s top political dynasties, House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro said Saturday.

Castro’s statement followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s issuance of an executive order reorganizing the NSC, which removed the vice president due to the position’s irrelevance to the council’s responsibilities.

Signed on December 30 and made public on Friday, Executive Order No. 81 also removed former Philippine presidents as members of the NSC.

“The removal of VP Sara Duterte and former President Rodrigo Duterte from the National Security Council shows that the new year marks the beginning of a more intense clash between the two leading political dynasties in the country,” ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Castro said in Filipino in a statement.

On Friday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin explained that the president’s order aimed to “reorganize and streamline the membership of the NSC.”

READ: Marcos reorganizes NSC, removes VP as member due to irrelevance

“At the moment, the VP is not considered relevant to the responsibilities of membership in the NSC,” Bersamin said.

He also stressed that the executive order gives the President the power to add members or advisers as needed