The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) clarified Tuesday that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s grant of a salary increase for military and uniformed personnel followed a planned process, dismissing claims it was a reward for loyalty amid coup rumors.
“Ito po’y came from a process. It started in August of last year so hindi po ito abrupt gaya ng lumalabas. Dumaan sa tamang proseso hanggang sa ma-approve po ito,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Margareth Francel Padilla said at a press briefing on December 9.
The 15% salary hike, to be implemented over three years, comes seven years after the last increase under former President Rodrigo Duterte. The pay adjustment, issued through an Executive Order, covers AFP soldiers as well as uniformed personnel of the PNP, BFP, BJMP, Bureau of Corrections, Philippine Coast Guard, and NAMRIA.
“Through the years mula po noon hanggang sa ngayon po simbolo po ito ng pagkilala ng sakripisyo at dedikasyon na pinapakita ng ating hanay, ng bawat sundalo,” Padilla added.
As the AFP marks its 90th founding anniversary this December, Padilla said the military will observe “austerity measures” to prioritize relief efforts for families displaced by recent storms.
“Sa halip na magdaos ng magarbong selebrasyon, inuuna po natin ang serbisyo, ang pagtulong at ang pagbangon,” she said.