Jinggoy urges Senate probe on slow AFP modernization

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Wednesday called on the Senate to conduct an inquiry into the implementation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, citing growing security challenges in the West Philippine Sea, continued harassment of Filipino fisherfolk, and emerging cyber threats.

In Senate Resolution 161, Estrada urged the chamber’s relevant committees to exercise their oversight functions to assess the program’s progress and determine possible legislative measures to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities.

“Our defense posture must evolve rapidly. We cannot afford delays when the safety and security of the Filipino people are at stake,” Estrada, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, said.

The senator expressed concern over the slow pace of the AFP’s modernization despite its crucial role in protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to Estrada, several key projects remain incomplete as of 2025, including 15 from Horizon 1 (2013–2017), 73 from Horizon 2 (2018–2022), and 37 under Horizon 3 (2023–2027).

He also lamented the sharp reduction in the Department of National Defense’s (DND) proposed P133.74 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026 to just P90 million in the National Expenditure Program, with P50 million of that amount falling under unprogrammed appropriations.

“This stark gap between proposed and actual funding reflects the budgetary constraints that continue to hinder progress,” Estrada said. “These figures reveal a glaring mismatch between our defense needs and actual funding support.”

“Our soldiers are ready to defend the country, but we must equip them with the tools and technology necessary to do so effectively,” he added.

Estrada highlighted the significance of the newly enacted Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act (Republic Act No. 12024) and the New Government Procurement Act (Republic Act No. 12009), saying both laws should help improve local defense manufacturing and streamline acquisition processes. However, he emphasized that these reforms must yield tangible results on the ground.

“The threats we face today are no longer hypothetical—they are real and immediate. From territorial incursions to disinformation campaigns, the Philippines needs a defense force that can respond with speed, precision, and technological readiness,” he said.

The senator also called for a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach in pursuing defense modernization, underscoring that national security is a shared responsibility across sectors.

“The modernization of the AFP is not just about purchasing equipment,” Estrada concluded. “It’s about ensuring that the Philippines remains sovereign, secure, and ready to protect every Filipino—whether at sea, in the air, on land, or online.”