Photo credit: Inday Sara Duterte

Vice President Sara Duterte has fired back at the National Security Adviser (NSA) following a statement made on November 24, 2024 regarding her recent remarks. The Vice President's open letter demands transparency and accountability from the National Security Council (NSC), which she believes has failed to properly include her in its meetings and decision-making processes.

The Vice President’s Response: A Call for Transparency

In her statement, Duterte clarified that national security is primarily about safeguarding the country's sovereignty, protecting the Filipino people, and maintaining democratic institutions. She emphasized that the role of the National Security Council is to formulate policies aimed at furthering these goals. However, Duterte raised concerns about how the Council has handled recent issues, particularly the treatment of her own comments, which were allegedly taken out of context and made into a supposed national security concern.

“I would like to see a copy of the notice of meeting with proof of service, the list of attendees, photos of the meeting, and the notarized minutes of meeting where the Council, whether present or past, resolved to consider the remarks by a Vice President against a President, maliciously taken out of logical context, as a national security concern.” Duterte demanded.

Missing Invitations: A Serious Concern

The Vice President’s concerns went beyond the handling of her statements. As a member of the National Security Council, Duterte revealed that she has not received a single meeting notice since she assumed office on June 30, 2022. This raises questions about the Council’s internal processes and its communication with key government officials.

"I do not recall receiving a single notice of meeting since 30 June 2022. I request the NSA to please send to me the notarized minutes of all meetings conducted by the Council from 30 June 2022, if any. I want to review what the council has accomplished so far, in terms of policies and recommendations for national security. ” she stated.

A Call for Clarity and Legal Explanation

Duterte did not stop there. In her letter, she formally requested an explanation from the NSA within 24 hours, demanding clarity on why the Vice President, as a member of the NSC, has not been invited to any of its meetings. She also called for a written legal basis for her exclusion, urging the NSA to justify why she has not been properly included in the decision-making process regarding the country’s national security.

“Please submit within 24 hours, an explanation in writing with legal basis why the VP is not a member of the NSC or why as member I have not been invited to the meetings” she demanded.

A Strong Appeal to the Public

In the final part of her statement, Vice President Duterte made an appeal to both the National Security Council members and the Filipino people. She urged everyone to hold the NSC accountable and demand greater transparency in its operations, especially when it comes to the nation’s security policies and decisions that affect the public.

“I urge all National Security Council members and the Filipino people to demand transparency and accountability from the personnel of NSC,” Duterte said.

What’s Next?

With her strong call for transparency, Vice President Sara Duterte has made it clear that she will not sit idly by while key national security decisions are made behind closed doors. Her demands for documentation and answers are not just about her personal involvement but also a push for more openness in the governance processes that affect the entire country.

As the story unfolds, all eyes will be on the NSA's response and whether the National Security Council will heed the Vice President's call for a more inclusive and transparent approach to national security.