The Arroyo Government and the Military: Maintaining Civilian Authority Amidst Undue Influence of the Military

Abstract

In the contemporary democratic framework, the supremacy of civilian authority over the military is a fundamental and revered principle. Following this, the only accepted mode of involvement by the military in politics is through military influence. In the Philippines, however, with the seemingly endless political problems hounding the Arroyo administration, applying the principle appears problematic. From President Arroyo’s unconventional ascension to office to the lingering question of legitimacy in her second term, the keen backing of the military for her administration is, no doubt, imperative. Consequently, the continuing reliance of the Arroyo government on military support has amplified the leverage of the military over the civilian government. This condition, in turn, allows the mode of involvement of the military to move from normal influence to undue influence. The military’s undue influence, along with the persistent effort of hostile groups to bring down the Arroyo government, offers the military an ideal situation to further elevate its involvement in politics. Such a notion, however, seems restrained, since several neutralizing factors reinforce civilian political authority and encourage adherence to democratic principles.