Senate restores P10-B cut from AFP modernization fund

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has restored the P10-billion cut made by the lower chamber in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Modernization Fund, said Sen. JV Ejercito revealed on Tuesday.

In an ambush interview, Ejercito said he is glad that the P10 billion was restored, baring that he—together with Sen. Bato dela Rosa—appealed to Sen. Grace Poe that the fund be brought back given the “sensitive situation” in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Senators push to restore P10B slashed from AFP modernization budget

“We appealed to the chair of the finance committee, Senator Grace, na given the precarious situation, sensitive situation in the West Philippine Sea, all the more that we need to support the modernization. So, at least I’m happy yung P10 billion cut na at least na-restore natin sa Senate,” said Ejercito.

(We appealed to the chair of the finance committee, Senator Grace, that given the precarious situation, sensitive situation in the West Philippine Sea, all the more that we need to support the modernization. So, at least I’m happy that the P10 billion was cut and at least we restored it in the Senate.)

According to the senator, no discussions were made in the chamber’s floor prior to the approval of the budget on Tuesday because a caucus was already conducted.

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“Nagkaroon ng caucus, so, diniscuss naman dun yung mga important items. So, wala naman nang nag-raise ng issue kasi napag-usapan na before we went out again to vote for it,” said Ejercito.

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(There was a caucus, so the important items were discussed there. So, no one raised any issues because they were already discussed before we went out again to vote for it.)

Earlier, Ejercito said if only the program was funded well, then the country would already be at the Horizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program.

“But how can we achieve this if our budget for modernization gets a yearly decrease?” Ejercito asked in Filipino.

“This investment in our national security is an investment to our future, our sovereignty, and most importantly to our men in uniform,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who was then speaking on behalf of the Department of National Defense as the sponsor of the agency’s budget, said seven projects will be affected by the P10-billion budget cut.

Without going into detail, dela Rosa said these projects concern the following: cyber systems and projects for forward and support equipment and aviation engineering equipment, additional aircraft, and joint tactical combat vehicles.