“In a democracy, dissent is a right of citizens, but it is not a privilege afforded to armed officers in uniform”
When an active-duty officer like Colonel Audie A. Mongao publicly withdraws his support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the conversation inevitably turns to freedom of expression.
However, as someone who has spent years studying and advocating for the integrity of our democratic institutions, I must be clear: the issue here is not about the right to speak, but the responsibility of the position held.
In a democracy, dissent is a right of citizens, but it is not a privilege afforded to armed officers in uniform.
The moment a soldier speaks politically in public, the institutional neutrality of our Armed Forces is placed at risk.
This distinction is not merely theoretical; it is the vital friction that prevents individual judgment from overriding the discipline necessary to keep our republic stable.
The Question of Timing
We must look at the context, as it sharpens the issue.
On Jan. 9, Colonel Mongao publicly withdrew his support. Just two days prior, on Jan. 7, a mass oath-taking for newly promoted generals was held. Colonel Mongao’s name was absent from that list.
This sequence invites an unavoidable and uncomfortable question: was this a sudden act of moral principle, or was it a final protest after being passed over for promotion?
When personal dissatisfaction is recast as a moral verdict against civilian leadership, it doesn’t strengthen the nation – it weakens the very constitutional order the military is sworn to protect.
Authority and the Constitution
The authority of the President as Commander-in-Chief does not hinge on the personal approval of individual officers, regardless of their rank or tenure. That authority flows from the Constitution and the sovereign mandate of the Filipino people.
Moral authority is not something one simply announces in a social media post.
It is vested by law, sustained by our institutions, and judged by history.
Under the current administration, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has remained professional, apolitical, and Constitutionally anchored.
These are the facts, and they do not support claims of a “moral collapse” within the leadership.
Accountability and Humanity
I commend the military leadership for acting with both clarity and restraint.
Mongao has been removed from his post and is under investigation for administrative and legal accountability.
Yet, simultaneously, the command has reached out to him to offer emotional support.
This is how a healthy institution functions.
Strength in the Armed Forces comes from firm rules enforced without theatrics.
Accountability and compassion are equally required of leadership, and this balance reflects an institution enforcing discipline without abandoning humanity.
The Uniform is Not a Platform
History – particularly our own – has taught us a harsh lesson: republics weaken when discipline yields to personal grandstanding within the ranks.
We must remember that the uniform is not a platform; it is a responsibility.
When officers act as political commentators, they gamble with the credibility of the entire institution.
Criticism of governance belongs in the civilian space, among the people and their representatives.
Military restraint is not a sign of silence or weakness; it is a profound act of service to the state.
A Call for Perspective
This episode calls for perspective, not provocation.
Our democracy endures not through defiance or the public airing of personal grievances by those tasked with our defense, but through the quiet, steadfast discipline of those who understand their role in a constitutional republic.
The Philippines remains strongest when our institutions operate within their limits. We must ensure it stays that way.
(The writer holds a master’s in national security administration and a doctorate in philosophy. He serves as Chairman Emeritus of four civic-oriented organizations: Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya , People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms, Liga Independencia Pilipinas), and Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement, where he advocates for truth, stability, and the dignity of the Filipino people).
