'Walang personalan' in removing VP Sara from NSC; it's Marcos' right to choose trusted people on board—Palace

Manila Bulletin

There is nothing personal behind the removal of Vice President Sara Duterte from the National Security Council (NSC), Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said, emphasizing that President Marcos has the right to ensure that whoever advises him has his full trust and confidence.  READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/7/walang-personalan-in-removing-vp-sara-from-nsc  Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin  #ManilaBulletinOnline #manilabulletin  #LatestNews

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00:00I read something that reminded me that Panelo, during his time as presidential advisor,

00:09was also advocated the exclusion of then Vice President Lenny Robredo.

00:17So he has no moral authority to question the decision of the President.

00:23But the second thing that I would like to emphasize here is this.

00:27Look at it this way.

00:29The National Security Council is an advisory body.

00:35And this is an advisory body in relation to the President as the Commander-in-Chief.

00:41So the President has the right as well as the responsibility of seeing to it

00:49that whoever advises him is within his fullest trust and confidence.

00:53Now I am not saying that the Vice President does not anymore deserve to be trusted.

01:03But I am just saying that with the recent developments,

01:06it is not going to be good advice or good action on the part of the President to still have her on board.

01:16Now anyway, the President has the absolute power, the power of absolute reorganization,

01:23meaning he can choose the people he listens to or he would listen to.

01:28So if the National Security Council is supposed to be including members who are trusted by the President,

01:37then let it be understood in that light.

01:40We don't have any personnel, but my statement before was the Vice President has ceased to be relevant

01:47as far as the responsibilities of that membership in the National Security Council is concerned.

01:54You know, if you think about it, that's always malicious.

01:59Because the Constitution is very clear, when may a President declare martial law.

02:06I don't think it is in the mind of the President right now.

02:09What he has in mind is the economic prosperity of the country, the health and welfare of the people,

02:18especially those of the lower classes, and the prioritization of his legacy projects.

02:26The President accepts that as the number one concern.

02:30It's not about martial law. It's not about extending himself in power.

02:35No, he has no thinking about that.

02:39He does not even think in those terms.

02:42Mr. Harry Roque is really malicious.

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