Executive Order No. 34, September 17, 2001

RECONSTITUTING THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, the National Security Council was reorganized and its membership, functions and authority were defined under Executive Order No. 115 dated December 24, 1986, as amended by the Administrative Code of 1987;

WHEREAS, the membership of the National Security Council was expanded under Executive Order No. 33 dated November 18, 1992 to enhance the coordination between the Executive and the Legislative branches in the formulation and integration of policies affecting national security;

WHEREAS, there is a need to modify the membership of the National Security Council to further enhance the formulation of policies affecting national security;

WHEREAS, under Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. The National Security Council (NSC) is hereby reconstituted and shall be composed of the following:

a. President as Chairperson;

b. Vice-President;

c. Senate President;

d. Speaker of the House of Representatives;

e. Senate President Pro-Tempore;

f. Deputy Speakers for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao;

g. Majority Floor Leader of the Senate;

h. Majority Floor Leader of the House;

i. Minority Floor Leader of the Senate;

j. Minority Floor Leader of the House;

k. Chairperson, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations;

l. Chairperson, Senate Committee on National Defense and Security;

m. Chairperson, Senate Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs;

n. Chairperson, House Committee on Foreign Affairs;

o. Chairperson, House Committee on National Defense;

p. Chairperson, House Committee on Public Order and Security;

q. Executive Secretary;

r. National Security Adviser;

s. Secretary of Foreign Affairs;

t. Secretary of Justice;

u. Secretary of National Defense;

v. Secretary of the Interior and Local Government;

w. Secretary of Labor and Employment;

x. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel;

y. Presidential Spokesperson;

z. Head, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office; and

aa. Past Presidents of the Philippines,

and such other government officials and private citizens as the President may appoint or designate from time to time.

The Director-General of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Chief of the Philippine National Police, the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas shall attend the meetings of the Council as may be necessary to advise and assist in the deliberations.

Section 2. The Executive Committee of the NSC is hereby reconstituted and shall be composed of the following:

a. President as Chairperson;

b. Vice-President;

c. Senate President or his representative;

d. Speaker of the House of Representatives or his representative;

e. Executive Secretary;

f. National Security Adviser;

g. Secretary of Foreign Affairs;

h. Secretary of Justice;

i. Secretary of National Defense; and

j. Secretary of the Interior and Local Government,

and such other members or advisers as the President may designate from time to time.

The Executive Committee shall review national security issues and concerns and formulate positions or solutions for consideration by the NSC. It shall determine the agenda and order of business of the NSC, and shall ensure that decisions of the NSC are clearly communicated to the agencies concerned. It shall advise the President on the implementation of decisions.

To carry out its functions, the Executive Committee may utilize the facilities and expertise of any of the government agencies and instrumentalities, and promulgate rules and regulations to govern its operations.

Section 3. The NSC shall be an advisory body to the President. The National Security Adviser shall ensure that the policies formulated by the NSC and approved by the President are effectively and efficiently implemented.

Section 4. Executive Order No. 33 dated November 18, 1992 is hereby modified accordingly. All other orders, rules, regulations and issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order, are hereby repealed or likewise modified accordingly.

Section 5. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon approval.

City of Manila, September 17, 2001.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary