A growing demand for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resign is shaking the political climate, but such a move carries grave national consequences. A resignation at this moment would unleash a level of instability the country cannot afford.
The first crisis would erupt at the very top of government. Constitutional succession points to Vice President Sara Duterte, yet she herself is under intense pressure from several groups urging her to step down. This creates a vacuum at the highest seat of leadership, placing the nation on the brink of uncertainty. A government that cannot guarantee a clear and functioning chain of command invites division, confusion, and fierce political maneuvering at the expense of public welfare.
Beyond the internal struggle lies an even more dangerous threat: organized groups waiting to seize power. Elements within the Communist Party of the Philippines and its allied blocs have long sought to replace democratic institutions with their own ideological rule. A sudden collapse in leadership provides a rare opening for such forces to disrupt the constitutional order. In a country marked by historical insurgencies, any lapse in authority invites infiltration and attempts to undermine civilian governance.
The economic cost would be severe. An already fragile economy—burdened by inflation, fiscal pressures, and weak investor confidence—cannot withstand the shock of an abrupt leadership collapse. Markets respond not only to policies but to political stability; without it, investment freezes, capital flees, and industries halt expansion. Worsening unemployment and rising prices would follow, punishing citizens long before a new government is even formed.
Once institutions weaken, the justice system stands next in line. Courts, law enforcement, and oversight bodies cannot function in the face of political chaos. When no authority appears legitimate, society descends into disorder, and the threat of anarchy becomes real. To prevent this, the country must seek stability by demanding accountability through lawful processes, strengthening institutions rather than tearing them down, and insisting that any transition of leadership—if truly warranted—occur through constitutional mechanisms that safeguard national security and public welfare.
The prudent course is for the current administration to continue its mandate, but with a firm, uncompromising commitment to abandon corrupt practices, pursue those who have plundered public funds, and recover the billions lost to graft. The present regime must embody transparency, responsibility, and accountability at every level of governance, knowing fully that the people, the media, and civic watchdogs are now watching every move with sharpened vigilance and unrelenting scrutiny.
