Senate to press for P50-B AFP Modernization Program in 2025 budget

Senators have lauded the Senate leadership for moving to restore the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) P50-billion original proposal for the AFP Modernization Program.

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said he is glad the Senate decided to restore the P10-billion that was slashed by the House of Representatives from their budget.

“In the past, we were not just able to restore the budget for the AFP Modernization Program but also augment it. But this time, we just restored at least, the P10-billion,” Ejercito said. 

Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa lauded the Senate for standing firm that there is a need for the AFP to continue its modernization program. 

“I would like first to express my utmost gratitude to our Chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Senator Grace Poe for not only restoring the National Expenditure Program level of the Revised AFP Modernization Program at ₱50 billion but also in effect fighting for the freedom and sovereignty of our country,” Dela Rosa said.

“I am certain that this additional funding for our armed forces will not only bring them new and technologically advanced military equipment but perhaps most importantly, boost their morale and confidence. You made them feel that they are not alone in defending our motherland,” the former national police chief added. 

The Senate has approved House Bill No. 10800 or the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) on third and final reading on Tuesday.

It was Dela Rosa who first disclosed the House’s move to reduce the P50-billion for AFP Modernization Program as proposed in the National Expenditures Program (NEP) to P40-billion in their version of the GAB. 

He earlier criticizes the House's move to slash the budget for AFP modernization by P10 billion, noting that the budget reduction to the program do not reflect the pronouncements of politicians who were vocally supportive of the AFP whenever the country’s troops are harassed in the West Philippine Sea. 

Dela Rosa, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, said it will affect the morale of the soldiers. 

“We do not blame the government, but if a soldier or a sailor feels the government has a different priority, then they will have a different reaction, as far as morale is concerned,” the senator said.