Malacañang reiterated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has no plans to impose martial law or extend terms, following the reorganization of the National Security Council (NSC), which saw the removal of the Vice President and former presidents from the panel.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated that the President remains focused on the country's economic prosperity, enhancing the health and welfare of the Filipino people, and completing his legacy projects.
“What he 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,” said Bersamin.
“It’s not about martial law. It’s not about extending himself in power. No, he has no thinking about that. He does not even think in those terms,” he added.
Bersamin also emphasized that Marcos holds the absolute authority to reorganize the council, highlighting that the President has the power to select the individuals he chooses to "listen to or will listen to."
"The National Security Council is an advisory body and this is an advisory body in relation to the President as the Commander-in-Chief. So, the President has the right as well as the responsibility of seeing to it that whoever advices him is within his fullest trust and confidence," he added.
However, Bersamin clarified that they are not questioning the trustworthiness of the Vice President, but given the "recent developments," it would not be advisable for the President to retain her on the council.
Earlier, Marcos implemented the reorganization of the council through Executive Order No. 81, which underscores the need to strengthen the NSC as a resilient institution capable of addressing both domestic and international challenges.
