The Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, has removed his vice-president, Sara Duterte, from the national security council (NSC) a month after she allegedly plotted to kill him, according to an executive order released on Friday.
The order, signed on Monday by Lucas Bersamin, a lawyer and the Philippines’ executive secretary, removed Duterte and all former presidents from the council, which advises the president on policies affecting national security.
Bersamin said the move was “to reorganise and streamline” the council’s membership, which comprises key legislative, defence, foreign and cabinet officials.
“At the moment, the VP is not considered relevant to the responsibilities of membership in the NSC,” Bersamin told reporters, adding that the president was free to add other members or advisers as needed.
Duterte is facing an investigation over her alleged threat to kill Marcos and his family.
In late November, Duterte, 46, – the daughter of the former president Rodrigo Duterte – delivered an expletive-laden online news conference in which she claimed to have told someone to assassinate Marcos if she was killed. She later said the comments were misinterpreted.
Duterte swept to power in 2022 in an alliance with Marcos that has unravelled spectacularly in recent months, with both sides trading allegations of drug addiction and extreme rhetoric before this year’s midterm elections.
Duterte is also the subject of multiple impeachment complaints over her alleged misuse of millions of dollars in government funds.
Duterte has not responded to a request for comment.
Source: theguardian.com
