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Politics

ESCUDERO LAUDS $500M US MILITARY AID TO PH

Senate President Chiz Escudero lauded the United States for its groundbreaking decision to allocate an additional $500 million in foreign military financing to the Philippines, marking a historic step in strengthening the country’s defense capabilities. “This is indeed a first!” Escudero said about the substantial investment aimed at modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines […]

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PADILLA VOWS TO PUSH AFP MODERNIZATION IN CONGRESS

We will make noise in advocating the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, especially the Philippine Navy, so they can better defend our territory. This was the promise made by Senator Robin Padilla after visiting Senate employees undergoing the Basic Citizen Military Course (BCMC) aboard the BRP Tarlac in Subic recently. “Hindi kami […]

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MUP PENSION SYSTEM GETS HOUSE OK ON 2ND READING

Amid plenary budget deliberations, the House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill (HB) 8969 or the proposed “Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP) Pension System Act.” The measure seeks to ensure the sustainability of the pension and other benefits of MUP by creating a fiscal framework that fully supports its funding requirements. HB 8969 […]

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PADILLA EYES MILITARY CONTROL IN NEGROS ORIENTAL

To prevent the social volcano in Negros Oriental from exploding due to the crimes and abuses there, is it time for a “military takeover” there? This was the question posed by Senator Robin Padilla at the Senate hearing on the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. Padilla, who likened the situation in the province […]

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GO: MILITARY PENSION REFORM ONLY FOR NEW ENTRANTS

Senator Bong Go stood firm that if finance managers intend to reform the military’s pension to avoid a financial disaster in the long run, it should only apply to new entrants or those who will join the military in the future.  “Ako naman po bilang isang senador, at vice-chairman ng Defense Committee sa Senado, rest […]

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SENATE TO ASSIST IN AFP MODERNIZATION – ZUBIRI

Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri took to the Senate floor to raise the issue around the recent series of accidents involving dated military aircraft, resulting in numerous deaths and casualties. His speech comes at the heels of a recent helicopter crash in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. A Philippine Air Force Huey helicopter crashed on a field, killing […]

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Politics

GORDON: SUSTAIN PENSIONS OF MILITARY RETIREES

With a bloating budget for pensioners gnawing at defense spending for years, Senator Dick Gordon has proposed that a long-term solution be taken to address the issue of sustaining the pensions of retired uniformed members of the military. Gordon made the call during the hearing on proposed measures seeking to rationalize and establish reforms in […]

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INAUGURATION OF PAG-ASA ISLAND BEACHING RAMP A FITTING REMINDER FOR FILIPINOS TO BE MORE VIGILANT – GORDON

Senator Dick Gordon congratulated the Department of National Defense on the completion of the beaching ramp at Pag-asa Island, as well as the Department of Transportation and the Palawan provincial government for the construction of a shelter for Filipino fishermen. Gordon said the completion of the ramp on the island, two days before Independence Day […]

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Politics

AFP, NPA SHOULD RESPECT CEASEFIRE AMID EFFORTS TO CONTAIN COVID-19 — REP. NOGRALES

Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines and New People’s Army (NPA) to respect the ceasefire declared by President Rodrigo Duterte amid efforts to battle COVID-19 pandemic. This, as an Army soldier and an alleged fighter of the NPA were killed in a clash in Montalban, Rizal on […]

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Politics

STRENGTHEN THE MILITARY, ENRICH THE COUNTRY – GORDON

As the Senate probes the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, Senator Dick Gordon stressed that Philippine foreign policy must be dictated by the nation’s needs and pointed out that national security is what “ultimately matters.” “Is it a national interest to abolish the VFA at this point in time? […]