Lacson: Retired Officers Sought to Replace Marcos Through Junta

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has revealed that he was approached by several retired military officers who offered him a position in a proposed civilian-military junta should President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. be removed from office.

Lacson said he immediately rejected the offer, stressing that such a move would be illegal, unconstitutional, and detrimental to the country.

In a radio interview on Sunday, Lacson confirmed that he was among those allegedly urged to take part in the proposed junta, an idea he described as both dangerous and unlawful. “Some people were pushing me to help remove the President and the Vice President. What they wanted was a civil-military junta,” he said. “There was even an offer for me to be part of the junta, the council, which I simply ignored.”

The statement emerged following reports that San Miguel Corporation Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang had also been approached to head the alleged civilian-military council—claims that raised questions about attempts to circumvent the constitutional process of presidential succession.

Lacson said he understands the frustration felt by some retired military officials who approached him, citing widespread disillusionment over alleged corruption in government, particularly in flood control projects.“During crises, especially when corruption is rampant, people’s minds wander. Sometimes you can’t blame others for thinking of extra-legal or unconstitutional options, perhaps out of passion to change the system,” he said. “Corruption has become systemic.”

What the Constitution Says About Presidential Succession

Presidential succession in the Philippines is governed by Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, which clearly defines how executive power is transferred in case the Office of the President becomes vacant. The objective is to ensure continuity of government and prevent leadership breakdowns during emergencies or unexpected transitions.

Succession takes effect when the President dies, resigns, is removed from office, or becomes permanently disabled. In such situations, the Constitution mandates the following order of succession:

1. Vice President

2. President of the Senate

3. Speaker of the House of Representatives

   
   

Each successor may assume the presidency only when specific constitutional conditions are met, and the transition occurs immediately upon assumption.

Legal experts note that this structure was designed by the framers of the Constitution to ensure stability and seamless leadership during political uncertainty. It also distinguishes presidential succession—a matter of public law—from civil succession, which pertains to inheritance and private estate distribution.

With these rules in place, the presidential succession mechanism serves as a vital national safeguard, guaranteeing that executive authority continues through legal and orderly means.

Lacson Cites Need to Strengthen Succession Framework

Lacson explained that the current constitutional line of succession ends with the Speaker of the House, a structure he believes may be insufficient in extreme scenarios. This is why he filed his “Designated Survivor” bill, proposing to expand the line of succession to include the most senior members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to ensure continuity of leadership under all circumstances.