Go defends military, personnel pension

SEN. Bong Go emphasized the importance of protecting the financial security of military and uniformed personnel during the Senate plenary session on Monday.

He said the pensions of active service members and retirees should remain unaffected by the proposed legislative changes under Senate Bill (SB) 2501.

SB 2501, sponsored by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, seeks to address growing concerns about escalating pension requirements that affect government budget, exacerbated by current economic challenges.

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. Contributed Photo

Citing the military and uniformed personnel's act of self-giving, Go said, «They are sacrificing their lives to maintain the security of the country. Their [brand of service] is different because their lives are at stake.»

Thus, he wanted to ensure their pension is commensurate with the risks they take for national security.

Go also cited the salary increases for uniformed personnel during former president Rodrigo Duterte's term, which doubled the entry-level salaries in 2018.

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He strongly opposed any adjustments that would nullify the salary increases that were previously granted to them.

«Most of them are already setting aside money, expecting what they will receive once they retire,» said the senator, who also serves as vice chairman of the Senate Committee of National Defense and Security.

Go also mentioned the potential pension cuts: «The amount that will be deducted from the soldiers is equivalent to a sack of rice that an ordinary soldier can feed their family. That's a big deal for them.»

During the interpellations, he pleaded for clarity and assurance that the pension benefits of active and retired personnel would remain unaffected by the proposed legislative changes.

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«Mr. President… Are you assuring our soldiers and uniformed personnel that this will not affect them? The active and retired uniformed personnel will not be affected, Mr. President?» Go said in seeking firm reassurances from Estrada.