President Marcos has no plans to declare martial law or seek a term extension, Malacañang clarified on Tuesday, amid online rumors following the reorganization of the National Security Council (NSC).
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized that the administration only focuses on advancing economic prosperity, improving public health and welfare, and prioritizing legacy projects.
“What he [the President] has in mind is the economic prosperity of the country, the health and welfare of the people, especially those who are in the lower classes, and the prioritization of his legacy projects,” the Executive Secretary told reporters.
“It’s not about martial law. It’s not about extending himself in power,” he added.
Bersamin emphasized that it falls under the President’s authority to ensure that advisers in the council are worthy of his trust.
“The President is simply exercising his responsibility to ensure that whoever advises him is within his fullest trust and confidence,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bersamin called out former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo for criticizing that NSC revamp under Executive Order 81, saying he has no moral authority to criticize the President’s decision.
The reorganization removed Vice President Sara Duterte from the council, causing Panelo to label her expulsion as “dirty politics.”
He described the move as an “ill-advised presidential decision” aimed at diminishing Duterte’s political influence.
Panelo also claimed that the exclusion of former presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Joseph Estrada from the NSC was a tactic to obscure the targeting of Duterte in the council’s reorganization under a new executive order.
However, Bersamin reminded Panelo of his actions during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, during which he publicly supported the exclusion of then-Vice President Leni Robredo from the cabinet.
“I recall an article that reminded me of Panelo, during his time as presidential adviser, advocating the exclusion of then Vice President Leni Robredo [from the cabinet],” he said.
“So, he has no moral authority to question the President’s decision,” he added.
On Monday, Roberdo’s former spokesperson, human rights lawyer Barry Gutierrez said that the incumbent Vice President has no one to blame but herself for her expulsion from the NSC.
Gutierrez, also a former party-list congressman, said Duterte’s death threats against the President, the First Lady and the House Speaker has turned her into a potential national security threat, and an unacceptable member of the NSC.
It is the NSC’s mandate to advise the President on national security related matters, provide supervision and guidance over the National Intelligence and Security Agency, as well as general supervision over the intelligence community in the pursuit of national security goals and strategic objectives.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Palace rejects term extension, martial law rumors amid NSC reorganization.”
