Former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo has no moral authority to question the decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to issue Executive Order 81, which reorganized the National Security Council (NSC), according to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

The reorganization of NSC resulted to the removal of Vice President Sara Duterte from the council.

In a press briefing, Executive Secretary Bersamin recalled an article about Panelo’s efforts during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte to exclude former vice president Leni Robredo from the cabinet.

“Mayroon akong nabasa something that reminded me that Panelo, during his time as presidential adviser, advocated the exclusion of then vice president Leni Robredo [from the cabinet],” he said.

“So, he has no moral authority to question the decision of the President,” Executive Secretary Bersamin added.

Bersamin made the remarks in response to Panelo’s criticisms of EO 81.

Bersamin emphasized the NSC serves as an advisory body to the President in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

He underscored that it is within the President’s responsibility to ensure that “whoever advises him is within his fullest trust and confidence.”

Bersamin further stressed the President’s absolute authority to reorganize government offices.

There is nothing personal in the issuance of EO 81, he said. | PND