‘No unfair, unsustainable MUP pension bill’

MANILA, Philippines — An administration party-list lawmaker has assured the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) that Congress will not pass a bill on their pension that is “unfair and unsustainable.”

In a forum on the MUP pension fund reform organized by the Civil-Military Operations Regiment of the Philippine Army last Friday, Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre also assured MUPs that Congress will not approve a measure that will “later on degrade the hard work and sacrifices of the uniformed personnel.”

“We want a law that will not shortchange you and those coming in in the future,” he said in a statement in Filipino.

One of the principal authors of the MUP pension fund reform bill, Acidre told the personnel that his office is open to any recommendation from the Army to “create a win-win solution for all.”

During the forum, solders raised some concerns, including the possible review of institutional charters in the MUP.

The statement showed that among the agencies currently classified as part of the MUP but are not directly providing armed security services is the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

Only the Armed Forces of the Philippines  (AFP) and Philippine National Police are recognized in the 1987 Constitution as the country’s “only security and law enforcement organizations,” according to Acidre.

There are existing agencies, however, that enjoy the same benefits as soldiers and policemen do, including the pension.

The House committee on national defense and security has met with newly installed AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner to discuss key issues concerning the soldiers, particularly the controversial MUP pension fund.

Panel chair and Iloilo Rep. Raul Tupas said they also tackled with Brawner the “additional non-monetary benefits” for military personnel.

“We talked about how to realize best those parts of the second SONA (State of the Nation Address) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. about the AFP and national security,” Tupas added.

With regard to the controversial bill, the lawmaker hinted the President’s guidance on making sure that the pension fund will “not create cash flow problems” for these personnel will give them direction on how to proceed.