In a shifting political landscape, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. faces attempts to destabilize his administration, but structural changes make removal unlikely without constitutional processes. Economic stability and institutional reforms have neutralized traditional paths to ouster like military intervention or mass protests. Impeachment remains the only viable mechanism, though it faces significant hurdles in the current Congress.
The political environment in the Philippines has evolved, making it difficult for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to be removed from office amid ouster calls and declining approval ratings. Traditional methods such as military adventurism or people power revolutions no longer hold decisive power. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has become more professionalized, with incentives tied to institutional stability rather than personal loyalties. As the column notes, 'Military loyalty is not personal — it is institutional.'
Economic factors further bolster this resilience. Inflation dropped to 1.7% in 2025, providing relief to households through cheaper essentials like rice and transport. The country's BBB+ Positive sovereign credit rating underscores progress toward upper-middle-income status, where any disruption could trigger capital flight and economic downturns. The ₱6.793-trillion 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) allocates record funds to education, agriculture, health, and infrastructure, emphasizing continuity over chaos.
Attempts to destabilize the administration, linked to groups within the Duterte circle, aim to cover up scandals, including ₱79 billion in suspected flood-control plunder. However, public inertia and atomized mobilization—fueled by disinformation and economic precarity—prevent widespread unrest. Polls show paradoxes, with Vice President Sara Duterte maintaining support despite allegations, reflecting strongman mythology.
Impeachment, requiring evidence and congressional approval, is the sole constitutional path but is 'next to impossible' given the current Congress's composition. The analysis stresses that stability serves as the platform for pursuing justice, warning against short-circuiting accountability into regime change. As stated, 'The country does not need another political collapse engineered by actors who thrive under impunity.' This setup demands reforms through law, not spectacle, to address corruption without risking economic gains.
