IN his final State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Chief Executive hinted at passing legislation for a unified system for retirement and pension benefits for military and uniformed personnel (MUP).
The benefits may even include free legal assistance for legal cases that may arise in the performance of their duties.
President Rodrigo Duterte underscored the need for this unified system for the separation, retirement, and pension of MUPs, saying that it will help maintain government flexibility and provide them with benefits.
“This shall apply only to the new entrants to the military. Hindi ho lahat. It cannot be that we have to pay so many,” said Duterte, even as he noted that a huge chunk of the budget has been allocated for the retirement benefits, and funds would not be available to cover all MUPs.
On top of the retirement and pension concerns, Duterte also urged Congress to come up with legislation seen to provide free legal assistance to both the military and the police force.
“It is also high time for us to pass the law providing free legal assistance to AFP and PNP officers enlisted officers to help them from charges arising from incidents related to the performance of official duty,” he said.