Año Affirms Reorganization of National Security Council as Crucial for Policy Enhancement

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has endorsed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent executive order, which reshapes the National Security Council (NSC), as a vital step toward improving national security policy formulation. Speaking in Manila, Año emphasized that the NSC primarily serves as an advisory body to the President, whose structure is subject to presidential discretion. As the NSC Director General, Año highlighted that the Administrative Code of 1987 empowers the President to reorganize the administrative framework of the Office of the President, under which the NSC falls. He further noted that the Constitution grants the President control over all executive entities, reinforcing the legality of such reorganizations. Año also reflected on the historical context, mentioning that since its inception by President Elpidio Quirino in 1950, the NSC has seen multiple restructurings by subsequent leaders, including Presidents Ferdinand E. Marcos, Corazon Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He stressed that these changes are driven by the need for effective policy-making based on sound advice and accurate information, aiming to address both current and emerging national security threats.