Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday told soldiers that a grateful nation and its leaders have not overlooked their sacrifices and crucial service, assuring them of his unwavering commitment to see to it that they are well-equipped and taken care of.
“Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed, and it is our duty to ensure that you are supported in every possible way,” he said during the Luzon leg of the House of Representatives-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) fellowship at Clark Freeport in Angeles City.
AFP officers led by Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., including those not only from Luzon island but from the AFP’s Eastern and Western Mindanao commands, and House members attended the event.
Speaker Romualdez said in acknowledgment of the soldiers’ “selfless service, the House of Representatives has been proactive in ensuring that our armed forces are sufficiently equipped to safeguard our nation, while also prioritizing the welfare of both retired and active-duty personnel.”
The leader of the 300-plus-strong House congratulated the military and its officials for winning the “proverbial battle for the hearts and minds of our countrymen is over.”
Based on recent survey results, he said the AFP “has successfully shed its tarnished image of old.”
“In its place is the image of the model soldier, worthy of the highest respect and trust of the Filipino people. This achievement is a product of everyone’s discipline, dedication to duty and sacrifices. For this, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has my utmost esteem. Congratulations everyone. Do carry on,” he said.
However, he said while one battle may be over, “the fight for a better Philippines continues.”
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines plays a critical role in this fight, providing the stability the nation needs to sustain its forward momentum,” he stressed.
Speaker Romualdez mentioned several measures the House has acted on to address the soldiers’ concerns, including challenges associated with sustaining the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) pension system.
He informed them that in the early days of the 19th Congress in 2022, he had filed a bill on MUP pension reform, “with great personal commitment…underscoring the deep respect and concern we hold for our uniformed personnel.”
The bill has successfully passed third and final reading in the House and is currently pending Senate concurrence.
House Bill No. 8969 sets the mandatory retirement age for uniformed personnel at 57. It contains provisions for the automatic indexation of pension and survivorship benefits. These benefits will be adjusted in line with the salaries of active-duty personnel of equivalent rank, subject to specific conditions. Furthermore, the bill ensures the continuation of the one-rank promotion benefit upon retirement.
He said the measure aims to establish a reliable financial foundation for the pension funds dedicated to the Armed Forces and other Uniformed Personnel Services.
He said legislative initiatives for the military also include numerous bills that seek to enhance support for uniformed personnel.
He cited the enactment of Republic Act 11939, a law that facilitates the continuous policy development and modernization of the Armed Forces, thereby eliminating the cyclical nature of the promotion system.
He said the House is likewise advancing legislation like House Bill 7793, which proposes an increase in combat duty pay, and House Joint Resolution 19, aimed at raising the subsistence allowance for uniformed personnel.
“Additional legislative efforts are underway to provide uniformed personnel with complimentary legal assistance and to establish high-quality medical clinics in every command and province, furthering our commitment to their well-being,” he said.
The Luzon leg of the HOR-AFP fellowship followed similar events in Visayas and Mindanao.*
