“The government must emphasize institutional remedies and civic engagement to maintain public confidence”
If the results of an Octa Research survey released last week are any indication, most Filipinos reject a military takeover to replace the civilian government even if it is hounded by a multibillion-peso corruption scandal.
The survey revealed that 70 percent of adult Filipinos oppose any intervention by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in political disputes, while only five percent agree and 22 percent are “ambivalent.”
Across major areas, disagreement with an AFP intervention in politics peaks at 79 percent in Mindanao, followed closely by Metro Manila at 78 percent.
However, it is relatively lower in Visayas (71 percent) and Balance Luzon (63 percent).
The survey was held a few days after the nationwide Sept. 21 protests which saw calls for the AFP to withdraw its support to the government.
“Filipinos draw a clear line between trust in the military as an institution and support for its involvement in politics,” the survey firm explained.
DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong has welcomed the Octa’s survey result affirming the civilian government’s supremacy: “The public’s clear rejection of any form of military intervention in politics underscores a mature democracy and validates the AFP’s steadfast commitment to remain non-partisan and focused on defending the nation.”
He also slammed those “parroting rumors” of military intervention whom he said are only after their “personal” political agenda.
“Filipinos want their Armed Forces focused on service, not sides,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla in a statement.
“And that’s exactly where we stand…We don’t play politics. We play our part — to guard the nation, uphold the Constitution, and keep peace steady no matter how loud the noise gets. Our strength isn’t in taking sides, but in standing firm for all,” Padilla pointed out.
The overwhelming rejection of military intervention reinforces a strong public preference for civilian supremacy and an apolitical armed forces, away from coups or partisan military action.
High public trust in the AFP’s professionalism combined with explicit rejection of its political role reduces the political space for civilian or elite actors seeking military backing to settle disputes.
We believe that broad public opposition to military involvement lowers the risk that extraconstitutional interventions would gain popular legitimacy that could stabilize democratic norms.
Those contemplating extra-constitutional shortcuts should heed the message that this recent survey shows in bold relief.
Ambivalence among 22 percent of those surveyed also shows that a minority could be swayed by crises, misinformation, or perceived failures of civilian institutions that could be exploited by those lurking in the shadows to grab state power for themselves.
Strong public preference for civilian resolution of disputes raises the political costs of invoking the military in high stakes controversies, including prosecutions or mass mobilizations tied to corruption or accountability cases.
What the survey result also does is to strengthen arguments for resolving disputes through courts, oversight bodies, elections, and civilian mechanisms, increasing pressure on institutions like the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice and the judiciary to act with a firm hand.
What should be done now is to reinforce civilian oversight by putting in place clearer rules on civil military interaction.
The administration also needs to accelerate reforms that reduce
citizen demands, such as procurement transparency and anti-corruption enforcement to reduce the appeal of non Constitutional options.
Strong public preference for civilian resolution of disputes likewise raises the political costs of invoking the military in high stakes controversies.
The government must emphasize institutional remedies and civic engagement to maintain public confidence.
Moreover, the administration must strengthen civic education programs to emphasize civilian supremacy, legal remedies, and peaceful dispute resolution while supporting independent media and civil society monitoring.
The OCTA finding provides a strong democratic mandate against military involvement in politics, bolstering civilian supremacy and constraining elite domination of the political and economic systems.
The OCTA survey clearly tells us that Filipinos are vehemently against military involvement in politics.
We must insist time and again on civilian supremacy while also strengthening institutions and public trust so that the minority that has taken an ambivalent stand on military intervention will not support extra-constitutional remedies.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
