The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday reminded former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson that allegations of corruption should be addressed through civilian institutions and legal processes, not the military.
In a press briefing at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla emphasized that the military has taken note of Singson’s public statements on 5 January, in which he warned that corruption had reached a level that “insults the honor and dignity” of the AFP.
“While the AFP has consistently supported calls for good governance and anti-corruption, addressing allegations regarding civilian governance, public finance, or economic policy falls exclusively under the jurisdiction of civilian courts and oversight bodies, not the military. These must be addressed through established legal processes,” Padilla said.
Singson, speaking at a press conference at Club Filipino in San Juan City on Monday, claimed that some uniformed personnel are being used to protect political interests while ordinary Filipinos bear the consequences of corruption, such as rising prices, a weakening peso, growing public debt, and declining foreign investment.
He also alleged that some high-ranking military officials were given cash — not as assistance, but allegedly to keep them silent.
The former governor called on AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. to publicly take a stand against graft and corruption, warning that silence could be interpreted as tacit approval.
In response, Padilla reiterated the AFP commitment to the 1987 Constitution, specifically Article II, Section 3, which states that civilian authority is “at all times, supreme over the military.”
She likewise emphasized that the military operates strictly within its Chain of Command, guided by civilian oversight, and that internal misconduct is dealt with promptly through proper channels.
“Within our own ranks, the AFP maintains zero tolerance for misconduct. We do not shield offenders; valid complaints against personnel are handled swiftly through internal mechanisms and proper courts,” Padilla said.
“We caution that calls for military personnel to engage in partisan politics or act outside the Chain of Command undermine our institutional integrity. While we respect freedom of expression, we remain focused solely on our mission, deferring matters of political accountability to the appropriate civilian institutions,” she added.
The AFP urged the public to be discerning against narratives that may masquerade as patriotism but could serve foreign interests seeking to exploit the country’s vulnerabilities, particularly amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea. “At a time when national unity is paramount to defend our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, we urge the public to be discerning: We must be vigilant against narratives that masquerade as patriotism but, in reality, align with and advance the interests of foreign entities seeking to encroach upon our territory,” Padilla stressed.
By reaffirming the AFP’s stance, Padilla said the military remains a disciplined, professional, and non-partisan institution while encouraging all allegations of corruption involving civilian governance to follow legal procedures.