Chief Presidential Legal Counsel (CPLC) Juan Ponce Enrile raised concerns on Sunday over growing calls for regime change in the Philippines, urging the nation to reflect on its political future and be cautious about potential instability.
“We are a democracy,” Enrile said, stressing that the country recently elected a president and vice president in accordance with the Constitution. “Now, it seems, some people want a regime change. What do we really want? A Leninism? A Maoism? A Fascism? A Banana Republic? What?” Enrile posted on Facebook.
Enrile, a key political figure with decades of experience in Philippine governance, called for national unity and emphasized the importance of adhering to democratic processes. He suggested that those dissatisfied with the current administration should wait for the upcoming midterm elections in 2025 or the next presidential race in 2026.
“If we want to test our popular strength, why don’t we wait for the coming mid-election next year? If we want a regime change, why don’t we wait for the national election in 2026?” Enrile remarked.
The former legislator also questioned whether the push for political change was driven by impatience for power. “Are we that impatient that we want to have the political power now?” He asked.
“Do we want a stable, a peaceful, and prosperous society? Or do we want an anarchic social condition? What?” Enrile said.
He further warned of the potential consequences of destabilizing the country, urging the public to carefully consider the implications of their actions.
“Let us be very careful about the matter. So much is involved! So many people are going to get hurt! The whole nation is at stake,” Enrile concluded.