Former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo called Vice President Sara Duterte's removal as a member of the National Security Council (NSC) "dirty politics" and an attempt to diminish her "political star power."

Panelo said this after President Marcos issued Executive Order (EO) No. 81 on Jan. 3, reorganizing the NSC to ensure its resiliency as an institution facing the evolving domestic and international challenges and opportunities.

In a statement on Saturday morning, Jan. 4, the former Palace official said the removal of Vice President Duterte from the NSC was an "ill-advised" presidential move.

"It smacks of dirty politics. Another brazen measure to diminish the political star power of VP Sara," he said.

Panelo likewise claimed that removing former presidents from the NSC was just a guise to make it seem that Vice President Duterte was not the target of the body's reorganization.

"The removal of FPGMA (former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) and FPERAP (former president Joseph Estrada) in the NSC is to deodorize the elimination of VP Sara as [a] member — to make it appear that she is not being targeted," he said.

In a statement, Nationa Security Advise Eduardo Año said the NSC's reconstitution was necessary to enhance the formulation of policies affecting national security.

"The purpose of reorganization is to enhance the formulation of policies relating to national security so that actions and decisions thereon by the Presidents rest on sound advice and accurate information," he said.

"It is also premised on the need for timely and coherent action to address current and emerging threats to national security," he added.

Based on the EO, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Dec. 30, the NSC's Executive Committee will be chaired by the President. Its members are the following:

• Executive Secretary
• Senate President or his representative
• Speaker of the House of Representatives or his representative
• National Security Adviser
• Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary
• Department of Justice Secretary
• Department of National Defense Secretary
• Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary
• Other members or advisers designated by the President

The NSC is the principal advisory body coordinating and integrating plans and policies relating to or with implications on national security.

Previous presidents have reorganized the composition of the NSC to meet the President’s requirements and changing conditions. Since the NSC was established by President Elpidio Quirino in 1950 it has undergone several reorganizations. Former president Ferdinand Marcos reorganized the NSC under EO 396 in 1972. Former president Corazon Aquino reorganized it under EO 115 in 1986 and EO 292 in 1987. Former president Fidel Ramos reorganized the NSC under EO No. 33 in 1992, while Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reorganized the NSC under EO No. 34 in 2001.