Where Do We Go From Here, Philippines?

The chaos in the senate should not distract the government from external threats, particularly in what's happening in the West Philippine Sea, security expert Ret. Col. Dencio Acop writes.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with the Filipino community in Japan during his second state visit last month. Official handout.

COL Dencio S. Acop (Ret), PhD, CPP | June 8, 2026

Our efforts at resolving problems are stifled by our own sins and crimes that, due to selfish motives, only result in palliative solutions to show the people that mandated problem-solvers or the government are doing something to correct problems on behalf of the people, but in truth, are also covering-up for their own misdeeds violating the law.

This type of dynamics has encouraged pragmatism but discouraged idealism. The idealists, who join government in order to truly serve the public interest, which is really just the common good, get pushed to the sidelines when powerful interests from the moneyed members of society, or mob-like behavior from the masses, take the upper-hand in the process of resolving problems of public interest.

In this type of environment, ultimately it is the pragmatists who possess the wherewithal to survive in public service more than the idealists, because they can navigate through the gray areas between what are considered to be moral values and those that violate these, and still survive it.

While this situation can build careers for these types of individuals, it also lays a heavy cost on the larger public interest where the most serious problems affecting the common good and the greatest number of people like the poor and marginalized, are set aside in favor of much narrower, private, and individual interests.

Take the case of what’s happening in the Philippines right now. While a regional power like China is encroaching upon Philippine territory and exclusive economic zone to harvest natural resources for its billion of people and advance military and defense interest in its quest to invade Taiwan, pro-China senators and China-backed “Die-hard Duterte Supporters” are causing problems for the government of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. both for their personal interests and those of the Chinese Communist Party.

While these entities may argue this observation, the fact remains that only China and its interests are ultimately benefited by their bizarre behavior. How can the greater national interest of the Philippines advance if its senate is non-functioning? (Also read: Philippine Senate standoff ends with new majority bloc)

Doesn’t this advance Chinese interest because the Philippines is unable to adopt a whole-of-nation focus on Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea violating Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling declaring such incursions illegal in the eyes of international law? (Also read: Philippines loses bid for a non-permanent seat in the powerful UN Security Council)

Moreover, how can the larger Filipino national interest be advanced by a theoretical second Duterte administration in 2028 when we all know that Rodrigo Duterte, as well as his children in politics including Vice President Sara Duterte, are practically allowing China’s encroachments in Philippine waters violating their oaths of office?

The non-impeachment of the vice president, despite her incompetence and plunderous behavior, would be favorable to the Chinese because she would be their very supportive ally. Finally, how can the non-prosecution of erring senators advance the greater domestic interest of safeguarding the rule of law through an impartial criminal justice system that works for all Filipinos and not just a few powerful local elites?

The propensity of erring senators in using their political powers, entrusted to them by ALL of the people they serve, to escape and evade the long arm of the law is an insult to injury suffered by the Filipino people as a whole. Add to this gaping insult the fact that senators are lawmakers of the upper chambers and we see here the impunity of these individuals who make a historical mockery of the sacred duty of enacting policies for the land of their birth which they had sworn to do with integrity and even the help of Almighty God. (Also read: Self-Serving Criminal Behavior by Senators and the Undermining of a Republic)

Now, if we were President Marcos Jr., what should we do? For theoretical purposes, let’s assume that the situation the president is in is as claimed by his detractors, which is quite normal in politics. (Also read: Authorities checking reports on fresh destabilization attempts against the Marcos government)

Let’s assume his enemies accuse him of merely benefiting from the fact that it is the Dutertes who gave him his position by allowing him to be the president so long as he later supports Sara Duterte as his successor. This is well taken. But it also has a couple of significant loopholes and gaps both subject to legal inquiry.

One is the accusation of “cheating” the last presidential elections. If we may recall, it was Leni Robredo who was in a position to win if the elections were totally honest. Realities on the ground then proved this. But, of course, it was still the administration of Rodrigo Duterte that was in power at the time. Despite overwhelming public support, administration-friendly media outfits and individuals still claimed Robredo fell behind the administration candidate by leaps and bounds.

It was reminiscent of the first Marcos regime in 1985 when increasingly unpopular dictator FM Sr. gave in to public clamor and demand for snap elections to be held. To which the opposition united and fielded the widow of Marcos’ nemesis, Ninoy Aquino. Despite overwhelming public support for Cory Aquino, the Comelec declared FM the unanimous winner and still democratically elected president. Two points apply. One is that cheating in 2022 needs to be proven. Second is that, if Bongbong cheated, then so did Sara. It is an argument that the DDS cannot really advance without hurting their champion and themselves as well.

The second loophole is the alleged involvement of the current President in the billions-worth flood scam anomalies. This is the other reason why DDS Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is conducting that other hearing, which is really out of order, trying to implicate Marcos Jr. in alleged corruption based on the tampered confessions of discredited rogue marines acting as witnessing bag boys.

How can such rogue hearing advance the nation’s interest?

First of all, it is not being conducted in the proper forum. Second of all, Cayetano and his cohorts have already been replaced from their committee chairmanships by other senators so their continuing to conduct the same in parallel is not only redundant, but out of line. (Also read: Self-Serving Criminal Behavior by Senators and the Undermining of a Republic)

If there is an allegation against the President, it must be done legally. There must be a formal accusation and then it must wait until the President’s immunity is lifted. Until then, it must be business as usual especially given the fact that an existential threat in China’s illegal incursions have been staring us in the face for quite some time now and such should, in fact, be the focus of all senators who are loyal to their oaths regardless of political affiliation.

In national situations where chaos and anarchy ruled the land in the face of clear and present danger, commanders-in-chief have historically been forced to use their emergency powers to quell dissent lest their nations fell.