MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday hit back at the spokesmen of former president Rodrigo Duterte over their criticisms regarding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to reorganize the National Security Council (NSC).
Former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said removing Vice President Sara Duterte from the council, through the issuance of Executive Order No. 81, “smocks of bad politics” while another former Palace official-turned-fugitive Harry Roque alleged that the reorganization was “a prelude to martial law” — claims shot down by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Panelo, Bersamin said, “has no moral authority to question the decision of the President” as he in the past advocated for then vice president Leni Robredo to also be excluded from the advisory body.
Citing “something that he read,” Bersamin said he was reminded how Panelo, “during his time as presidential adviser, advocated the exclusion of then vice president Leni Robredo [from the cabinet].”
“So, he has no moral authority to question the decision of the President,” said Bersamin during a Palace press briefing.
He further noted that the NSC served as an advisory body to Marcos in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and it is only fitting that “whoever advises him is within his fullest trust and confidence.”
“Now, I’m not saying that the Vice President does not anymore deserve to be trusted. But I’m just saying that with the recent developments, it is not going to be good advice or good action on the part of the President to still have her onboard. Now, anyway, the President has the absolute power, the power of absolute reorganization – meaning, he can choose the people he listens to or he would listen to,” Bersamin said.
Meanwhile, Bersamin scored as “malicious” Roque’s comment that tweaking the NSC was the President’s way of doing a “take two” of martial law just like his late father, Ferdinand Sr.
“You know, if you keep on thinking that, that’s malicious ano because the Constitution is very clear when may a President declare martial law. I don’t think it is in the mind of the President right now,” the Palace executive said.
“What he has in mind is the economic prosperity of the country, the health and welfare of the people especially those of the lower classes and the prioritization of his legacy projects. The President accepts that as the number one concern. It’s not about martial law, it’s not about extending himself in power. No, he has not been thinking about that. He does not even think in those terms. Mr. Harry Roque is just being malicious,” he added.
The NSC is the principal advisory body coordinating and integrating plans and policies relating to or with implications on national security.
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