In an Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies forum in Pasig recently, a fiery and detailed public address, political commentator and analyst Ado Paglinawan has leveled grave accusations against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., alleging that the President’s actions regarding Taiwan constitute a severe threat to national security and a betrayal of Philippine sovereignty, potentially warranting impeachment.
The core of Paglinawan’s argument, delivered to a gathered audience and now circulating widely on social media, posits that President Marcos is recklessly provoking China and risking the safety of all 115 million Filipinos by clandestinely aligning the country with US interests in a potential conflict over Taiwan.
Accusations of Endangerment and Diplomatic Breach
Paglinawan’s speech outlined a series of what he termed “illegal and incompetent” actions by the administration. The primary charge is that Marcos’s pro-US stance is effectively turning the Philippines into a “frontline state” in a brewing US-China war, a conflict he asserts the country has no stake in and everything to lose from.
Central to this accusation is the claim that President Marcos has systematically undermined the Philippines’ longstanding adherence to the One-China Policy. Paglinawan cited the President’s public congratulation of Taiwan’s incoming president as a key example of a diplomatic misstep that severely angered Beijing.
Furthermore, he alleged that this is not merely rhetorical but part of a pattern of “secret cooperation” with Taiwanese officials on security matters. He pointed to reported closed-door meetings between Philippine military, coast guard, and National Security Council officials and their Taiwanese counterparts.
“These are not innocent exchanges,” Paglinawan asserted. “These are discussions on contingency planning for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. These are talks on countering Chinese hybrid warfare. This is the Philippines being drawn into a conflict plan.”
“Clandestine Missions” and Bypassing Diplomacy
The commentator provided specific incidents to bolster his claims, highlighting a recent visit by Philippine navy and coast guard officials to Taipei. Paglinawan labeled this a “clandestine mission” undertaken without the knowledge or coordination of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which he said caused a significant and avoidable diplomatic incident with China.
He went so far as to label the officials involved as “spies” operating outside the bounds of proper diplomatic channels, suggesting their actions were directed by a shadowy agenda aligned with the United States.
US Influence and a Call for Impeachment
Paglinawan contended that President Marcos’s worldview and foreign policy are being dangerously shaped by the United States’ “Rule-Based Order” rhetoric. He argued that this framework puts “America First” and uses the Philippines as a pawn, ultimately sacrificing Philippine sovereignty and legal processes for American strategic goals.
The speech concluded with a stark political threat. Stating that the President’s actions represent a violation of his oath of office and a dereliction of duty that endangers the republic, Paglinawan declared that if these alleged violations do not cease, the Filipino people have the right to “choose to impeach him.”
The Palace has not yet issued an official response to Paglinawan’s specific allegations. However, the administration has consistently defended its foreign policy as independent, sovereign, and focused solely on protecting Philippine national interests in the West Philippine Sea and ensuring regional stability.
The speech has ignited fierce debate online, highlighting the deep divisions in public opinion regarding the Philippines’ delicate balancing act between its treaty ally, the United States, and its powerful neighbor, China.
Political analyst Ado Paglinawan, when asked by media if he had submitted a Position Paper containing his analysis and if there was a chance for him to speak with President Marcos Jr. to at least give the President the benefit of the doubt, he responded that it now seems unlikely he will get that opportunity, citing the influence of the President’s wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, as the reason for this diminished prospect.#
