Senator Gordon Pushes for over Php 25 Billion Annual Fundings Needed for the AFP Modernization

During the deliberation on the Tax Reform Bill for Acceleration and Inclusion Act or TRAIN Bill in the Senate last November 27, Monday, Senator Gordon pushes for the urgent funding's for Modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines due o possible external and internal assaults threats to the Philippines. He pointed out the despite a quarter a century old Bases Conversion and Development Act (BCDA) already signed into law, there is no clear move in modernizing the Armed Forces.

“This is something that we in Congress must pay attention to, every year, so we could really have some form of measure of protection for our country. In spite of the BCDA Law, after 25 years there is no improvement in the military. There doesn’t seem to be any urgency on this matter. We have arguments with big nations around us,” the Senator said.

According to Gordon, that the Philippines should not keep relying on the protection of other countries or on foreign donations of arms and munitions. What the Congress must do is to set aside funds for the military's modernization program.

“We cannot rely on other nations to protect us. This is something that we in Congress must pay attention to every year so we could really have some measure of protection for our country. We cannot just rely on the donation of other country (such as Norinco Assault Rifle and sniper rifle from China and AK47, military trucks from Russia) Kailangan ipakita natin na tayo ay titindig at maglalagay tayo ng pera,” he said.

Senator Gordon annual military modernization funds must be over Php 25 billion that is allocated from the General Appropriations Acts until 2019. Some portion from TRAIN collection can be add to the annual budget for the military.

“We should really put in honest to goodness revenue-raising for the military. Every country that I know of – from America to Japan to every country in Europe, they have always put together something for their military,” he stressed.

15 percent allocation was initially proposed by Senator Gordon but only 13 percent were approved by the senate approving body.