Pay hike ‘overdue,’ no politics–DND
The Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday defended President Marcos Jr.’s push to revisit and increase the base pay of military and uniformed personnel (MUP), calling the adjustment “long overdue” and rejecting criticisms that the move was timed for political gain.
DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the department was still finalizing details of the review, which will be undertaken by a technical working group formed under Mr. Marcos’ directive.
“We’re in the process of preparing for the implementation of a policy review, but the President has already triggered it with an order to create a technical working group. Of course, we will support this particular policy review,” he said in a chance interview on the sidelines of DND Cybercon at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Labor groups questioned why uniformed personnel were prioritized over civilian workers, but Andolong said the President’s rationale is clear.
“As the President said, it’s overdue—long overdue. That is also our view at the Department of National Defense,” he said. “We really should give our soldiers a pay increase, especially since their work is harder now than in previous years. We welcome it. Even the AFP has said they welcome and appreciate the President’s concern for our men in uniform.”
Andolong also pushed back against claims that the pay hike discussions amounted to political appeasement, citing recent speculation about supposed destabilization attempts.
“Why would they think this is a bribe? This is for our soldiers,” he said. “Their job is very difficult. I don’t understand those who say that. Let them think about what they are saying—where is our concern for those who defend our people and our sovereignty?”
President Marcos has approved a 15-percent overall salary increase for military and other uniformed personnel over the next three years, citing current economic conditions and the need to strengthen troop morale.
Starting Jan. 1
This week, Marcos formalized the process through Executive Order No. 107, which updates the base-pay schedule for MUP and raises their daily subsistence allowance. Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto signed the order on Dec. 3.
The EO covers personnel under the Department of National Defense, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Corrections and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.
Under the order, the revised base pay will roll out in three tranches starting Jan. 1, 2026, followed by adjustments on Jan. 1 of 2027 and 2028. The subsistence allowance will also increase to P350 per day beginning next year.
Funding for the 2026 adjustments will come from available appropriations in the national budget, while requirements for 2027 and 2028 will be incorporated into future National Expenditure Program proposals.
EO 107 also creates an interagency working group—composed of the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, Bureau of the Treasury and Government Service Insurance System—tasked with conducting a full review of the MUP pension system and recommending needed legislation.
Mr. Marcos’ order comes seven years after the last time the basic pay of MUP was increased during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
