Marcos Remains AFP Commander-in-Chief Amid False Claims of Military Power Transfer

False claims that Vice President Sara Duterte has taken control of the Philippine Army amid alleged political turmoil have been circulating widely across social media platforms, despite having no constitutional basis.

Multiple posts on Facebook and YouTube have propagated the unfounded narrative that Duterte has replaced President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as commander of the army in what was described as a “swift, decisive action” aimed at stabilizing operations during purported tensions within the government.

One particularly misleading Facebook post from November 30 garnered thousands of reactions and nearly 100 shares, while a YouTube video making similar claims has accumulated over 95,000 views. The video, published by a channel called Philippine News Insider, falsely claimed that “the Philippine Army and VP Sara have spoken, ready to take over” following allegations about President Marcos.

Constitutional experts point out that such a transfer of power is impossible under current circumstances. The 1987 Philippine Constitution explicitly states in Article VII, Section 18 that “The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines,” a power that cannot be arbitrarily transferred to any other official, including the Vice President.

According to constitutional provisions, the commander-in-chief role only transfers to the Vice President in specific scenarios: upon the President’s death, permanent disability, removal from office through proper legal channels, or resignation. None of these conditions currently apply to President Marcos.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has also reaffirmed its loyalty to the constitutional chain of command. During a recent military event, President Marcos commended the military’s service and reminded troops to “rise above politics,” emphasizing that their “loyalty must not be to any individual or any faction, but only to the Republic.”

These false claims emerge against a backdrop of political friction, as the administration faces scrutiny over alleged corruption in flood control projects. However, on November 28, AFP Sergeant Major Feliciano Lazo publicly assured President Marcos of the military’s unwavering support.

“We assure you that our soldiers remain professional, disciplined, solid, united in purpose, and undivided in service to the nation,” Lazo stated. “We reaffirm our pledge of unwavering allegiance to the flag, to the Constitution, and to the duly constituted authority, in this instance, our Commander-in-Chief.”

The circulation of such misinformation comes at a sensitive time in Philippine politics. On November 25, Vice President Duterte told reporters she was prepared to assume the presidency should Marcos resign, comments that administration officials labeled as “a form of political destabilization.”

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro criticized Duterte’s remarks, stating, “It is not acceptable for a vice president to anticipate the resignation of the president.”

Media literacy advocates highlight that this case exemplifies a growing trend of political misinformation in the Philippines, where fabricated claims about government leadership changes can rapidly spread across digital platforms, potentially undermining public trust in institutions.

Fact-checking organizations continue to monitor and debunk similar claims, warning citizens to verify information through official government statements and credible news sources rather than relying on unsubstantiated social media posts, especially those making extraordinary claims about constitutional powers and military allegiances.