Country needs less politics, more patriotism

The heart for national service can’t retire — this is what former Interior Secretary Rafael “Raffy” Alunan III has advocated as he spoke about the current political landscape and the growing risks amid global tensions.

Speaking with DAILY TRIBUNE’S Straight Talk, Alunan described himself as a private individual and a concerned citizen.

With seven years in government and a 2019 Senate run under the number seven on the ballot, he appears to embody what numerology describes as the archetype of a seeker and thinker — an identity that persists even beyond a stint in public office.

VUCA situation

Alunan views 2025 as a year defined by VUCA, or volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. The Philippines has experienced the worst of natural disasters intensified by corruption, malversation and political divisiveness.

At the same time, global instability directly affects the country, as it is deeply embedded in the international system.

Geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions among the United States, Russia, China and Iran are being felt worldwide.

He echoed what many security analysts believe, that the situation is heading “towards World War III.”

“And we’re part of it. We’re right at the center of gravity here, because the South China Sea is what China wants to control first,” he said.

Because of this, Alunan warned that the VUCA situation in 2026 will be worse than in 2025, both globally and domestically.

Moral decline

Within the country, chaos is driven not only by foreign forces but also by conflicts among Filipinos. Alunan pointed to a deep societal shift in attitudes and behavior, which he described as a sociological problem.

“We’ve lost our morals,” he said.

“We are no longer ethical people because even if we know what’s right and wrong, we always choose wrong over right,” he added.

He cited the strong presence of political dynasties as clear evidence of this decline, noting that they further complicate the VUCA situation.

Alunan said political dynasties affect every aspect of life in the Philippines across the political, social and economic spheres.

“I believe that when you are part of a political dynasty, you learn firsthand how families run their respective government positions,” he shared.

He also lamented that the Philippines has become significantly weaker compared to neighboring Southeast Asian countries. “We are not building our nation,” he said frankly.

Gone are the days when people entered government to serve honorably, while those seeking wealth pursued careers in the private sector. He said he witnessed this shift firsthand during his time at the Department of the Interior and Local Government under President Fidel V. Ramos.

No backing down

Despite the harsh realities, Alunan believes the country must focus on two things: leadership at every level of society and moral renewal.

“Because we lost our moral moorings. We lost our values. We lost our virtues,” he said.

He stressed the need to build a nation of integrity, one where government is no longer a source of easy money.

Alunan is also an advocate of the government’s National Resilience Initiative. At the national level, he said the government must “get its act together” by aligning principles with action.

He emphasized the importance of unity, solidarity and teamwork — qualities he believes the country sorely lacks.

In times of major emergencies, every act of compassion and kindness matters. In the event of war or large-scale conflict, the military and police will be fully occupied with their missions.

He urged military retirees and reserve forces to help at the community level by assisting in safety planning and preparedness.

“They are good at that,” he said.

Alunan’s core message: Every Filipino should act with integrity and love for country, striving for unity and patriotism above personal or political interests.