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Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Remains Philippine President, Military Coup Rumors Debunked
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to serve as the Philippines’ head of state despite circulating claims that he was ousted from Malacañang Palace by military generals, with Vice President Sara Duterte allegedly assuming the presidency.
The unfounded allegations emerged from a YouTube video uploaded on October 18, which has garnered over 15,000 views. The video’s thumbnail features manipulated images of Marcos and Duterte appearing to argue, with text claiming: “VP Sara officially took over?! PBBM kicked out by generals from the Palace?!”
Official sources confirm no leadership change has occurred in the Philippine government. Neither Malacañang nor the Presidential Communications Office has issued any statements regarding a presidential resignation or removal. Both Marcos and Duterte remain in their elected positions.
President Marcos directly addressed coup rumors on October 15 during an oath-taking ceremony for newly elected officers of the Malacañang Press Corps. He reassured the public about his administration’s stability, stating the government stands “on solid ground in terms of support from different sectors of society.”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has firmly maintained its support for the Marcos administration. In late September, amid anti-corruption rallies protesting controversial flood control projects, AFP Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. revealed that some retired officers had approached the military to urge withdrawal of support from the President.
Brawner unequivocally rejected these overtures. The AFP subsequently issued a statement characterizing such efforts as attempts to “sow division, cast doubt on our leadership, and derail the President’s fight against corruption.”
Press Secretary Claire Castro confirmed on October 7 that Marcos has been aware of reports claiming retired officials were attempting to persuade the military to withdraw support. Despite these challenges, the President reportedly remains confident that military and police forces will do what is “right” and “necessary.”
The misleading YouTube video provides no credible evidence supporting claims of a leadership change. It merely splices footage from an ANC interview with Vice President Duterte at a tree-planting event with clips from an October 15 Senate committee hearing. Despite public knowledge of tensions between Marcos and Duterte, the Vice President has explicitly denied calling for the President’s resignation, describing such demands as “pointless.”
This is not the first instance of misinformation regarding Marcos’s presidency. Fact-checkers have previously debunked several false claims about him, including fabricated reports about his resignation.
The spread of such unverified claims comes during a politically sensitive period in the Philippines. The Marcos administration has been facing various challenges, including criticism over economic policies, infrastructure projects, and foreign relations decisions. However, there is no credible evidence suggesting any imminent threat to the constitutional order or legitimate transfer of power.
Political analysts note that social media platforms have increasingly become breeding grounds for political misinformation in the Philippines, particularly during periods of heightened public dissatisfaction or policy disagreements within the administration.
The fabricated coup story appears to exploit known tensions between Marcos and Duterte, who ran on the same ticket in the 2022 elections but have since displayed public disagreements on several governance issues.
As the Marcos administration continues its term, officials have urged the public to obtain information from official government channels and credible news sources rather than unverified social media content.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
13 Comments
While I’m glad the coup claims have been debunked, the fact they emerged at all suggests some underlying political tensions that the administration may need to address. Maintaining public trust and governing effectively will be key priorities.
Curious to see how this situation evolves. The Philippines has faced political upheaval in the past, so it’s critical the current administration projects strength and stability to both domestic and international audiences.
Agreed. Any perception of instability or divisions within the government could spook investors and impact the economy, especially the mining/energy sectors. Clear, consistent messaging from Marcos will be key.
It’s good to see the President directly addressing and dismissing the coup rumors. Maintaining stability and continuity in government is so important, especially for sectors like mining and energy that require long-term policy certainty.
Agreed. Sending a strong, unambiguous message of leadership and control will be crucial for the Marcos administration, both domestically and to international investors and businesses.
While it’s good the coup claims have been debunked, the fact they emerged at all suggests some political tensions or dissatisfaction that the government may need to address. Maintaining public trust will be important going forward.
It’s good to see official sources confirming that President Marcos remains in power and the coup rumors are unfounded. Stability and continuity in government are important for the Philippines at this time.
Agreed. Baseless claims of a leadership change could be disruptive, so it’s reassuring to hear the President directly address and dismiss these rumors.
It’s reassuring to see the President himself dismiss the coup rumors. Direct communication from the top helps quell uncertainty. Hopefully this puts an end to the speculation and allows the government to focus on its agenda.
The mining and energy sectors will be watching this situation closely, as political stability is crucial for ongoing operations and new investments. I hope the Philippines can maintain a steady course despite the rumors.
Me too. Commodity producers and investors need certainty around policies and regulations. Continued leadership from President Marcos would provide that reassurance.
The mining and commodities industries will be watching this closely. Investors need stable, predictable policies to make long-term capital commitments. Hopefully the administration can project that image of reliability.
Absolutely. Clarity and consistency from the Philippine government on regulations, taxes, and other policies affecting extractive industries will be crucial. Instability creates uncertainty that can deter new investments.