Any proposed changes should not be discriminatory, hence must apply to other non-contributory systems like the judiciary, prosecution service, and constitutional commissions. Also, the diminution of pension benefits will violate the Constitution. These are among the talking points of the Position Paper of the PMA Class of 1971, Inc., discussed in further detail.
From BusinessMirror: Retirement pensions, especially for those who have served honorably in the AFP and other uniformed services, must be treated as a vital part of an incentive package for retirees as well as for those planning to serve the country through the profession of arms. This was the stand of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Matatag” Class of 1971 Inc. in its position paper.
Continue reading “Military and uniformed personnel pension conundrum [BusinessMirror]”
This position paper is an offshoot of the pronouncement of Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Benjamin Diokno on March 28, 2023 about the Marcos administration’s intent to overhaul the pension system of the military and uniformed personnel (MUP).
Continue reading “REFORMING THE MUP PENSION SYSTEM: A Position Paper of PMA Class of 1971, Inc.”
Sen. Lacson’s Opening Statement at the Hearing
Good morning, everyone.
As a refresher, allow me to briefly recount where we left off after the Joint Committee Hearing that we conducted last February of 2021, pertaining to the proposed measures that seek to address the pressing concerns from the ballooning pension requirements of our Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP).
Before the suspension of the said hearing, the Committee had requested the following:
1. For various MUPs to submit to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) the necessary data with respect to the new entrants, so the latter will be able to update its actuarial study dated 05 January 2021; and
2. For the agencies to submit complete data on the real properties to aid the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in computing the total value of assets that may be considered in establishing the seed fund.
This Committee has been informed that, to date, the GSIS is yet to update its actuarial study due to either incomplete or delayed submission of some agencies. We can skip this for now as we were told the aggregate amount involved is not substantial enough to contribute to the reduction of subsidies coming from the GAA. Not to mention that the incomplete submission of data has already delayed the crafting of the committee report.
To set the record straight: Sapat at kadalasan ay sobra pa ang pondo para sa mga benepisyo ng ating mga retiradong pulis, sundalo at other uniformed services. Mangyaring makipag-ugnayan sa aming opisina ang mga hindi nakakatanggap ng tamang pensiyon sa ospml@yahoo.com or sa About/Contact Ping Lacson.
Sen. Lacson’s Opening Statement at the Hearing:
This is a continuation of our previous public hearing held last October 5, 2020, on the MUP pension bills referred to this committee, which was suspended with the commitment that an actuarial study would be conducted by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) together with our key stakeholders, such as the Bureau of Treasury and the MUPs, among others.
Just to refresh our memory, last year and this year’s appropriations reflect the veracity of this serious financial concern, given the steep increase in the MUPs’ pension funding from P80 billion in 2020 to P120 billion under the 2021 General Appropriations Act.
Continue reading “Hearing of the Senate Defense Committee on MUP Concerns”
Sen. Lacson’s Opening Statement at the Hearing:
The Chair welcomes everyone present in the joint public hearing of the Joint Committee to discuss several proposed measures that seek to rationalize and establish reforms in order to create a fair, sustainable and clear mechanism for the pensions of MUP and other related matters.
Distinguished colleagues who are present this morning, and guests convened today physically and virtually to find the need to address critical concerns which if not managed immediately would mean dire consequences in the financial welfare of our country. I speak of the ballooning pension requirements of our MUP which we fear may no longer be sustained by our scarce government resources in the coming years.
Certainly, it is high time we created a standalone special fund so that we may deter the inevitable fiscal disaster of draining the public coffers attributed to the bloating pension requirements of our uniformed retirees which up to this very moment completely rely on the national budget.
Continue reading “Senate Hearing on Establishing a Mechanism for the Pensions of MUPs”
[Video Courtesy: Senate PRIB]
At the hearing on the 2020 budget of the Department of National Defense (DND), Sen. Lacson cited the need to revisit the AFP Modernization Program for the country to achieve its goal of a minimum credible defense posture, and asked if the DND should get compensation from telcos that set up facilities inside military camps.
Lacson also pushed for a sustainable long-term program that would provide for the pension requirements of uniformed personnel. He inquired about the status of a new infantry battalion that would fight terrorism and similar threats in the Mindanao area.
The DND is seeking a budget of P258.35 billion for 2020, including P119.118B for personnel services; P69.704B for pension; P40.701B for MOOE; and P28.831B for capital outlay.
QUOTES and NOTES:
Continue reading “AFP Modernization, West Philippine Sea Updates, and National Security: Sen. Lacson Chairs the 2020 Budget Hearing for the DND”
Sa wakas, tuloy na tuloy na ang umento sa pensiyon ng mga retiradong Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP), matapos ito bigyan ng sapat na pondo ng Department of Budget and Management.
Nagpasalamat si Lacson, na miyembro ng Philippine Military Academy Class 1971, kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte para sa dagdag na benipisyo sa ilalim ng Joint Resolution No. 1.
“On behalf of the 220,000 MUP retirees, let me say a lifetime ‘THANK YOU’ to PRRD for Joint Resolution No 1. No other President has shown such concern for those who served and offered their lives for country and people. All we have to do is continue breathing for as long as we can,” pahayag ni Lacson sa kanyang Twitter account.
Related: Lacson Thankful as DBM Clears Way for MUP Retirees’ Pension Hike
Continue reading “Ping, Nagpasalamat: Umento sa Pensiyon ng MUP Retirees, Tuloy Na!”
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson on Thursday expressed thanks on behalf of 220,000 military and uniformed personnel (MUP) retirees, after the Department of Budget and Management finally cleared the way for the hike in their pension.
Lacson, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1971, cited President Rodrigo Duterte for signing Joint Resolution No. 1, which provides for the increase.
“On behalf of the 220,000 MUP retirees, let me say a lifetime ‘THANK YOU’ to PRRD for Joint Resolution No 1. No other President has shown such concern for those who served and offered their lives for country and people. All we have to do is continue breathing for as long as we can,” he said on his Twitter account.
Related: Ping, Nagpasalamat: Umento sa Pensiyon ng MUP Retirees, Tuloy Na!
Continue reading “Lacson Thankful as DBM Clears Way for MUP Retirees’ Pension Hike”
Fake news ang ipinapakalat na balitang tinapyasan ang pondo para sa pensyon ng beterano sa 2019 budget, kung saan isinulong ni Senador Panfilo Lacson ang P15,000 na karagdagang benepisyo kada beterano.
Ito ay binigyang-diin ni Lacson bilang tugon sa mga kongresistang nagsasabing nahagip ng ginawang pagtapyas ng Senado sa 2019 budget ang pondo para sa pensiyon ng mga beterano.
Una nang natukoy sa mga ulat na binanggit ni House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rolando Andaya Jr. na maraming pondo na ginalaw ang Senado sa 2019 budget at tinamaan umano ang Pension and Gratuity Fund para sa mga beterano.
Dahil dito, nakakatanggap na ng tawag ang tanggapan ni Lacson mula sa mga nagtatanong kung totoong isinulong niya ang pagtapyas sa pondo para sa kanilang pensyon.
Related: Beware of Fake News! Lacson Assures No Cut in Pension
Continue reading “Fake News, Ibasura! Ping: Pinadagdagan Ko ang Pondo Para sa mga Beterano sa 2019 Badyet, Hindi Pinakaltasan”
Retired military and uniformed personnel need not worry about alleged cuts in their pension this year, as there is no truth to claims that the Senate has slashed the budget for it.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson gave this assurance on Wednesday, noting he even sought an increase in the Pension and Gratuity Fund in the P3.757-trillion proposed budget for 2019.
“Our retired military and uniformed personnel will get the much-deserved increase in their pension retroactively, once President Rodrigo Duterte signs the budget bill into law,” Lacson said.
Related: Fake News, Ibasura! Ping: Pinadagdagan Ko ang Pondo Para sa mga Beterano sa 2019 Badyet, Hindi Pinakaltasan
Continue reading “Beware of Fake News! Lacson Assures No Cut in Pension”
Former Philippine National Police chief and now Senator Panfilo Lacson received support for his efforts to increase the benefits and pension for active and retired uniformed personnel from fellow former PNP chief Edgardo Aglipay. Lacson led the PNP from 1999 to 2001, while Aglipay served as PNP chief from 2004 to 2005. Both are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1971.
Bewailing that many of them have been denied the benefits they earned after years of duty, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson made a fresh appeal Tuesday for the release of funds for the pension of retired policemen and firefighters. Continue reading “Lacson Makes Fresh Appeal for Retired Cops, Firemen’s Pension”
