MANILA – The Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday robustly backed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push for a salary increase for military and uniformed personnel (MUP), dismissing accusations of political motivations as misguided and emphasizing that the adjustment is “long overdue” to support those safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty. The defense comes amid labor groups’ calls for equal attention to civilian workers, with DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong underscoring the unique hardships faced by soldiers in an era of heightened threats.
Andolong, speaking during a media briefing, reaffirmed the DND’s alignment with Marcos’ directive, which formed a technical working group to finalize implementation details. “As the President said, it’s overdue—long overdue. That is also our view at the Department of National Defense,” he stated. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has echoed this sentiment, welcoming the raise as a morale booster amid speculation of destabilization attempts.
The salary hike, formalized through Executive Order No. 107 signed on December 3 by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, provides a 15% overall increase over three years, implemented in tranches starting January 1, 2026. The daily subsistence allowance will rise to P350 from next year, covering personnel from the DND, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Corrections, and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority. Funding for 2026 draws from national budget appropriations, with future years incorporated into the National Expenditure Program.
Addressing critics who labeled the move a “bribe” for loyalty, Andolong pushed back sharply: “Why would they think this is a bribe? This is for our soldiers. 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?” He highlighted the intensified risks soldiers face today, justifying the prioritization without diminishing civilian needs.
The order also establishes an interagency working group, including the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, Bureau of the Treasury, and Government Service Insurance System, to review the MUP pension system and recommend legislative reforms. This marks the first base pay adjustment in seven years, since the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Labor advocates, however, have questioned the timing and focus, arguing that uniformed personnel should not receive preferential treatment over civilian workers amid broader economic strains. The DND’s stance remains firm: The hike is a deserved recognition of service, not a political ploy, as the nation navigates ongoing challenges like natural disasters and security threats.