Ched Rick Gatchalian

Philippine Army soldiers stand at attention during the celebration of the 126th Philippine Army Founding Anniversary in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, on March 22, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

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AFP clarifies pension cut vs retired generals, officers over seditious statements

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760944199299mili.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Philippine Army soldiers stand at attention during the celebration of the 126th Philippine Army Founding Anniversary in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, on March 22, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File </div>MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday clarified the possible pension cuts for retired military generals and officers over their seditious statements, with the Palace saying it was up to the military to address the matter.AFP Spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla over the weekend said the military pension is being reviewed after some retired officers supposedly called on armed personnel and the public to oust Marcos Jr. over issues on government corruption.During a public briefing on state-run PTV, Padilla clarified that the “in-depth” review of the military pension system was still “a work in progress.”<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/08/21/23/govt-to-help-in-military-pension-loan-restructuring">DOF says gov&#x27;t to help military, uniformed personnel restructure loans amid pension reform push</a></div>“Ang goal nito is para tiyakin natin na ang pension system ay makatarungan, tapat na nagagamit at hindi sumasalungat sa batas o nakakasira sa tiwala ng publiko, sa sandatahang lakas ng Pilipinas,” Padilla said.“Ito ngayon ay ine-emphasize natin na this is a work in progress, pinag-aaralan natin ito,” she added.Padilla said while they respect their right to air grievances and opinions, there should be a “red line” under the law.“Dapat dumaan ito sa tamang proseso, pag-aaral, at kapag ito ay napatunayan na mayroon silang nilabag na batas, tsaka lang naman posibleng may epekto dito sa ating pension system,” she said.“Kung  mapapatunayan na may paglabag, we will refer it to the proper channels and authority to address it. Puwede kasing mag-fall ito under Data Privacy Act, puwedeng mag-fall under Anti-Cybercrime Law that we have,” she said.Sanctions will only come in if proven that these individuals indeed committed the offense, said the AFP spokesperson. Their legal officers, she said, are looking into the matter.“Ang pinaka-glaring dito ay inciting to sedition. Ang tinitingnan natin dito kung saan puwedeng makita ang actions that have been done, kung mayroong offense na nagawa, of course, will go through necessary review and investigation,” she added.Padilla emphasized that this does not seek to curtail a person’s right to express their opinion, but she said the AFP is after these individuals’ possible violations under the law.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/17/marcos-reminds-newly-promoted-afp-leaders-always-uphold-rule-of-law-defend-our-democracy-1004">Marcos reminds newly-promoted AFP leaders: ‘Always uphold rule of law, defend our democracy’</a></div>“Pag may nakita tayong fake news na nagpo-proliferate, mismong tayo na sa ating official sites pinapalabas na natin at nire-review na natin ang mga fake news na nakikita nating kumakalat para malinawan na ang taumbayan sa saloobin ng [AFP],” she said.Asked about this development, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President does not have any statement on the matter as of the moment.But Castro said these retired military officials spreading seditious statements should be held accountable under the law.“Sa ngayon ay wala namang masasabi kung ano ang tugon ng Pangulo patungkol diyan at ang issue po na iyan ay sa AFP at kung mayroon silang aaralin, dapat muna po sigurong aralin,” the official said in a Palace briefing.“Ang pananagutan nila, kung gumawa sila ng krimen dapat silang managot at ang korte ang hahatol sa kanila,” she added.AFP Chief-of-Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner last month said some retired officers from the AFP reached out to him and some younger officers at the height of the Trillion Peso March protests, but their calls were rebuffed.Last week, the President said support for<a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/15/marcos-jr-says-admin-on-solid-ground-amid-coup-rumors-1848"> his administration is still on “solid ground”</a> despite rumored destabilization efforts, but urged all stakeholders to reach out to him with their grievances.But Marcos said despite this, he admitted that it is “dangerous” to be complacent and assume that everything is fine.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday clarified the possible pension cuts for retired military generals and officers over their seditious statements, with the Palace saying it was up to the military to address the matter.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday clarified the possible pension cuts for retired military generals and officers over their seditious statements, with the Palace saying it was up to the military to address the matter.

AFP clarifies pension cut vs retired generals, officers over seditious statements; Palace says up to AFP to address issue

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AFP clarifies pension cut vs retired generals, officers over seditious statements; Palace says up to AFP to address issue

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 20, 2025 03:22 PM PHT

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Armed Forces of the Philippines

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Military pension

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Marcos administration

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