Philippine president reshuffles National Security Council, excludes VP Duterte

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has been removed from the National Security Council (NSC) following a reorganization order signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

This decision comes after a bitter fallout between the two former allies last year, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

President Marcos explained that the restructuring of the NSC was necessary to "ensure that its council members uphold and protect national security and sovereignty."

According to Lucas P. Bersamin, the Executive Secretary to the President, the vice president's office no longer holds relevance for NSC membership at this time.

The reorganization also removed former presidents from the NSC and granted President Marcos the power to appoint "other government officials and private citizens" to the council as deemed necessary. The order, signed on December 30 and released on Friday, aims to strengthen and adapt the council to face new national security challenges.

At the time of the announcement, the Vice President’s office had yet to comment on the changes.

Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is currently facing impeachment complaints related to corruption, incompetence, and alleged ill-gotten wealth. She has denied the accusations.

Earlier, Duterte also made controversial remarks about plotting an assassination against the president and other officials, later claiming they were taken out of context.

By Tamilla Hasanova