SEN. Joseph Victor Ejercito yesterday pushed for the restoration of the P10 billion appropriation for the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that was slashed by the House of Representatives in its version of the 2025 national budget.
Ejercito, during the plenary discussion on the proposed budget of the Department of National Defense (DND), also committed to augment the budget but did not mention by how much.
Ejercito made the manifestation as he supported the recommendation of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who defended the DND proposed budget, to restore the P10 billion budget cut. The AFP is an attached unit of the DND.
“Yes, Mr. President, I gladly support your amendment, but likewise, I will make my own amendment to also augment further, aside from proposing that the P10 billion budget cut be restored, I would propose that the budget of the Armed Forces modernization be augmented so we can catch up with Horizon 3,” he said during his interpellation.
Dela Rosa said the P10 billion budget cut in the AFP modernization program – from P50 billion to P40 billion in the House version – will affect at least seven projects of the AFP, which include those concerning cyber systems, projects for forward support equipment, aviation engineering equipment, purchase of additional aircraft, acquisition of joint tactical combat vehicles, and radar basing support systems.
“These are the projects that would be affected by the reduction of our modernization fund by P10 billion,” Dela Rosa said.
Also during yesterday’s budget plenary discussions, Dela Rosa said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has informed him that President Marcos Jr. will soon sign a proclamation that will allow the AFP to have a joint military base at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
“They are awaiting the signature of the President for the presidential proclamation making a portion of SBMA as their naval base,” Dela Rosa said, saying the move will save money for the AFP which has been renting the former Hyundai shipyard in Subic Bay for P1 billion a year.
Ejercito said this was a welcome development, noting that SBMA, being a former US military base, has complete facilities.
“I think it will be a win-win situation for the Armed Forces, for the defense department, and the SBMA, as well,” he said.
He also said: “For the improvement of our external defense, it will be a good idea to have a joint base, with the Air Force there, our Navy, nandoon na yung mga port, meron na po tayong Cubi airport and probably the Army, probably the NoLCom puwede na rin ilipat doon, kumpleto na (For the improvement of our external defense, it will be good idea to have a joint base, with the Air Force there, our Navy, and we have the Cubi airport and probably, the Army, the NoLCom (Northern Luzon Command) can also be transferred there.”