Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764916022284photo-collage.png (4)_cropped_processed_by_imagy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Department of National Defense (DND) defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s move to increase the base pay of military and uniformed personnel (MUP), calling it “long overdue.&quot; Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s move to <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/3/marcos-jr-hikes-base-pay-of-military-personnel-1633">increase the base pay</a> of military and uniformed personnel (MUP), calling it “long overdue” amid criticisms from labor groups and lawmakers questioning the timing of the adjustment.</p><p>Andolong said the DND is still awaiting details on the proposed adjustment.</p><p>“At the moment, we&#x27;re in the process of preparing for the implementation of a policy review, but the president has already triggered it with an order to create a technical working group (TWG), so as to the details, I don&#x27;t have anything at the moment. But of course, we will support this particular policy review,” Andolong told reporters in a chance interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday.</p><p>In a video message posted on his social media accounts, Marcos Jr. acknowledged the dedication and service of MUPs, especially in terms of national security.</p><p>He said the increase will be released in three tranches, particularly on January 1, 2026; January 1, 2027; and January 1, 2028.</p><p>Those who are entitled to the salary increase are personnel from the DND, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).</p><p>According to Andolong, the increase was justified and long overdue.</p><p>“Sabi nga ng Presidente, overdue na ‘to. Matagal na, so yun din ang pananaw namin sa Department of National Defense na dapat naman talaga bigyan na ng pay increase ang ating mga kasundaluhan, lalo na, ika nga, ang kanilang trabaho ay mas mahirap kaysa sa mga previous years. So, we welcome it. The AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] has also said that they welcome and support, and they are appreciative of the President&#x27;s concern for our men in uniform,” he said.</p><p>The official also dismissed allegations that the raise could be a “bribe,” especially amid rumors of destabilization efforts against the government.</p><p>“Bakit naman nila iisiping suhol ito? Para sa ating mga sundalo ito. Napakahirap ng kanilang trabaho. Hindi ko maintindihan itong mga nagsasabi nun ano? Isipin naman nila yung kanilang sinasabi. Nasa’n yung malasakit natin para sa mga dumedepensa sa ating taumbayan saka ating soberanya?” Andolong said.</p><p>Asked to react to suspended Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga’s statement that teachers, rather than soldiers, should have been prioritized, Andolong answered: “Ayaw ko nang bigyan ng kulay. Dun sa tungkol sa nagsalita — yan ay isang matagal nang overdue.”</p><p>“Kung iisipin ninyo, huling nagkaroon ng increase ay nung nakaraang administrasyon pa. But nung panahon na yun may nagsabi ba ng ganyan? Yun ang tanong ko sa kanila,” the DND spokesperson added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/26/-no-reset-plot-afp-says-no-military-junta-within-ranks-0833">&#x27;No reset plot&#x27;: AFP says no military junta within ranks</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>LABONG GROUP: BUYING LOYALTY</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) has criticized Marcos Jr. for increasing the base pay for MUP, saying ordinary workers fought hard for a P200 regional wage hike only for it to be rejected and “killed.”</p><p>KMU Secretary General Mary Ann Castillo said the increase for police and military personnel adds insult to injury for workers still earning poverty wages.</p><p>“Sampal sa mukha ito ng mga ordinaryong manggagawa at kawani — sa mga tapat na naglilingkod, lumilikha ng yaman ng bayan, at nagpapatakbo sa buong lipunan,” Castillo said.</p><p>“Lalong nakakagalit na walang intensyon ang gobyernong tugunan ang kahingian ng ordinaryong manggagawa para sa nakabubuhay na sahod,” she added. “At kahit ang legislated wage increase na P200 na nga lang, pahirapan nang inilaban, pinatay pa.”</p><p>The P200 regional wage hike bill failed to pass in the 19th Congress after the House and Senate could not agree on a compromise. The House approved a P200 increase while the Senate approved a P100 increase. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/10/14/minimum-wage-workers-kasambahays-in-central-luzon-get-pay-hike-1148">Minimum wage workers, kasambahays in Central Luzon get pay hike</a></div><p>The House blamed the Senate for not convening a bicameral conference committee, while the Senate argued the bill would hurt the economy — a position supported by some business groups. Lawmakers have since refiled similar measures in the 20th Congress.</p><p>Castillo claimed the base pay hike was meant to shore up their support amid calls for his resignation due to corruption scandals in government.</p><p>“Bongbong, obvious ka naman masyado! Halata namang binibili mo lang ang katapatan ng pulis at militar sa takot na ilaglag ka nila sa kabila ng paglakas ng panawagan ng mamamayan na umalis ka sa pwesto.</p><p>“Kakaibang timing nga namang itataas bigla ang sweldo ng mga pasistang tropa ng estado, kung kailan nasusukol ka na sa galit ng taumbayan sa sindikatong korapsyon,” Castillo said.</p><p>When asked why the President was quick to hike the salaries and benefits for the military, while a petition for a regional wage hike for ordinary Filipino workers remains in limbo, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said: “Hindi po iyong sakop ng Pangulo.”</p><p>“Hindi po pinapahinto ng Pangulo ang pagtataas ng suweldo na within his power pero iyong pagtaas po iyong binabanggit nila na halagang P200, iyan po ay nasa kamay na po ng Kongreso,” she said.</p><p>“Mayroon po tayo sa Tripartite Board. Mayroon pong increase, hindi po ito maikakaila. Iyong sinasabi po nilang wage hike na P200, ito po ay saklaw ng Kongreso,” she added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wafiYprhBwY?si=cfaXwF5zsBj-3Ec-" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Department of National Defense (DND) defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s move to <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/3/marcos-jr-hikes-base-pay-of-military-personnel-1633">increase the base pay</a> of military and uniformed personnel (MUP), calling it “long overdue” amid criticisms from labor groups and lawmakers questioning the timing of the adjustment.</p>

The Department of National Defense (DND) defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s move to increase the base pay of military and uniformed personnel (MUP), calling it “long overdue” amid criticisms from labor groups and lawmakers questioning the timing of the adjustment.

DND defends 'overdue' MUP base pay hike as labor group calls it 'infuriating'

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DND defends 'overdue' MUP base pay hike as labor group calls it 'infuriating'

Bianca Dava,

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 05, 2025 02:28 PM PHT

Read More:

base pay hike

Department of National Defense

military and uniformed personnel

KMU

Kilusang Mayo Uno

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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