16,000 military pensioners have incomplete, doubtful data

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is fast-tracking the cleansing of its pension data after finding that close to 16,000 military pensioners have incomplete or doubtful data.

Military data showed that of the 122,472 pensioners listed in the June 2013 payroll, 15,775 might not have met the requirements set by the budget department.

The AFP Pension and Gratuity Management Center said the data on pensioners might be insufficient or unreliable.

The government shoulders the pension benefits of retired military personnel, which means that the funds being distributed come from taxpayers’ money.

The cleansing of records is being done to ensure the integrity of the pension payroll and avoid “ghost” pensioners.

AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the center had validated 12,203 pensioners out of the 15,775 with incomplete or doubtful data.

He said 5,988 of these retirees have been restored or are in the process of being restored to the pension payroll as of July 19.

Zagala said pensioners whose monthly benefits are still withheld should present a proof of life and submit an updated form.

The military is coordinating with the Office of the Adjutant General, the Non-Current Records section and the Retirement and Separation Benefits System to gather data on pensioners.