GUEST COLUMNIST
As the 2025 political landscape unfolds, the Philippines stands at the precipice of potential instability. A brewing political crisis, spurred by issues of corruption and the contentious passage of the 2025 National Budget, is steadily gaining traction. Various groups—former government officials, retired military personnel, religious sectors, and opportunistic politicians—have coalesced, urging the uniformed services to join their cause. While these calls remain veiled in civility, the undertones of disruption cannot be ignored.
History is a potent teacher. The success of EDSA I and II, both revolutions that altered the nation’s trajectory, were anchored in military intervention. EDSA I propelled Cory Aquino to the presidency, while EDSA II installed Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Yet, the aftermath of these revolutions underscored a bitter irony: the intended ideals of good governance were overshadowed by instability and political opportunism. The Cory Aquino administration faced repeated coup attempts, with the 1989 coup being the bloodiest. These events revealed the military’s pivotal role as both a catalyst and a victim of political machinations.
The success of these revolutions hinged on the use of arms, emphasizing that mere rhetoric—manifestos, social media campaigns, or psychological ploys—cannot alone effect transformative change. However, the repeated exploitation of the military by self-serving politicians highlights a dangerous precedent: a cycle of manipulation that undermines democratic foundations.
Military professionalism
Amid these challenges, military professionalism emerges as the bulwark against societal instability. During the Martial Law era, professionalism within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was compromised, breeding frustration among officers committed to selfless service. The lessons of EDSA I and II, however, spurred a renewed commitment to professional ethics within the military.
Samuel Huntington’s framework for military professionalism—expertise, responsibility, and corporateness—remains relevant.
Leadership at all levels, a critical fourth dimension, further strengthens the military’s capacity to uphold constitutional order.
Today’s AFP leadership, forged in the crucible of past crises, benefits from these lessons. Unlike their predecessors, who bore the scars of political interference, the current leadership operates with greater focus on their constitutional mandate.
The present challenge
A significant test looms on Jan. 31, when various interest groups plan to gather at the EDSA Shrine. Their call for military participation places the AFP at a crossroads. In response, AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner has issued a decisive statement urging the public to channel their grievances through the democratic process: “Our call to the people is to use this election as a platform to express our desires by voting for the right individuals who will serve the country and our society.”
This message underscores the importance of corporateness and leadership within the military. Corporateness, rooted in strict discipline and unquestioned obedience to lawful command, binds the AFP’s ranks in a collective commitment to duty. Leadership, on the other hand, ensures that this discipline is exercised responsibly, with the nation’s welfare as the ultimate priority.
The modernization of the AFP has enhanced its focus on external threats, reducing the likelihood of internal adventurism. The current leadership, preoccupied with safeguarding national sovereignty, has little appetite for political interference. To invite military adventurism would jeopardize mission readiness and national security, exacerbating the nation’s challenges.
The nation’s tailspin into decline cannot be arrested by revolutionary governments or juntas. Constitutional reform, while slow, remains the only sustainable path forward. General Brawner’s call for democratic action offers an immediate, practical solution to address the nation’s grievances while preserving institutional integrity.
Clarion call to politicians, citizens
The current political climate demands restraint and introspection from all stakeholders. Politicians, particularly those with opportunistic agendas, must recognize the limitations of the military’s patience. Soldiers, as social beings, are not immune to the pressures of political agitation. Taunting or coercing them risks destabilizing the very institutions that uphold the nation’s security.
The public, too, bears a responsibility. By actively participating in the democratic process, citizens can elect leaders who embody integrity and a commitment to good governance. This is not merely a call to action but a plea for collective responsibility—a recognition that stability is a shared endeavor.
In this pivotal moment, the Philippines must choose unity over division, stability over chaos. The lessons of EDSA I and II, coupled with the AFP’s evolution toward professionalism, offer a roadmap for navigating the current crisis. General Brawner’s call for democratic engagement encapsulates the essence of this roadmap: a commitment to constitutional processes, a rejection of adventurism, and a belief in the power of collective resolve.
Let this be a turning point, not a repetition of past mistakes. By respecting the military’s mandate and empowering democratic institutions, the nation can overcome its challenges and build a future defined by resilience, integrity, and unity.
(Lt. Gen. Jaime S. de los Santos served with distinction as a military professional, 42nd Commanding Gen. Philippine Army, 1st Force Commander, UN Multi-National Peacekeeping Force in East Timor, former member, UP Board of Regents and Professorial Lecturer II (part-time), UP-Diliman.)