Go opposes MUP pension reform plan

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go had expressed his opposition to the proposed military pension reform, which would impose mandatory contributions and remove automatic indexation for military pensioners.

Go said he agrees with Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. on the latter's strong reservations against the reform.

"I understand the financial challenges facing the government, but I believe there are other ways to address these challenges without affecting the pensions of our military personnel," Go said.

He suggested the government could improve tax collection or eliminate corruption to raise more revenue.

Go pointed out that the government increased the salaries of uniformed personnel during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, adding he does not want to see those gains taken away by mandatory contributions.

"I believe our military personnel have already made enough sacrifices," Go said, while expressing his full support for Teodoro's ad interim appointment as as Secretary of the Department of National Defense.

"Secretary Teodoro is a man of competence and integrity," Go said during the Cabinet member's confirmation hearing Wednesday at the Commission on Appointment. "I am confident that he will lead the DND well and ensure the welfare of our military personnel."

Go also took the opportunity to discuss his own advocacy for disaster preparedness. He said he has filed Senate Bill 188, which would establish the Department of Disaster Resilience or DDR.

The DDR would be responsible for coordinating disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response efforts.

"I believe the DDR is necessary to ensure a more effective and efficient response to disasters," Go said.