Is MUP pay hike a bribe amid destab talk? DND says ‘no’

The Department of National Defense (DND) rejected claims that the pay hike for military and uniformed personnel (MUP) could be construed as a “bribe,” particularly amid rumors of destabilization plots against the Marcos administration.

In an ambush interview at Camp Aguinaldo on Friday, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong emphasized that the MUP salary adjustment was “long overdue.”

“The President himself said this is long overdue. We at the Department of National Defense share that view, that our soldiers really should be given a pay increase, especially since their work has become more difficult compared to previous years,” Andolong explained.

He added that the Armed Forces of the Philippines has also expressed appreciation for the President’s initiative, viewing it as a sign of continued support for military personnel.

“We welcome it, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has also said that they welcome and support, and they are appreciative of the President's concern for our men in uniform.”

Andolong dismissed the criticism against the initiatives.

“Why would they think this is a bribe? This is for our soldiers. Their work is extremely difficult. I don’t understand people who say such things. They should think about what they're claiming. Where is our concern for those who defend our people and our sovereignty?,” he lamented.

Andolong said the government is now preparing for a comprehensive policy review on the proposed base pay increase for military and uniformed personnel (MUP), following an order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to create a technical working group (TWG).

The DND, he added, is still awaiting concrete details but confirmed that the review process has already been set in motion.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have much information at the moment. We’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. So as to the details, I don't have anything at the moment. But of course, we will support this particular policy review,” Andolong stressed.

Earlier this week, Marcos approved Executive Order 107, updating the base pay schedule and raising the subsistence allowance for MUP across several agencies.

Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto signed the EO by authority of the President on December 3.

The order covers military personnel under the Department of National Defense and uniformed personnel under the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Corrections, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

Under EO 107, the updated base pay will be implemented in three tranches beginning 1 January 2026, followed by increases on 1 January of 2027 and 2028.

The subsistence allowance for all MUP will be set at P350 per day starting 1 January 2026.

Funds for the 2026 adjustments will be sourced from available appropriations in the national budget, while requirements for 2027 onward will be included in future National Expenditure Program proposals.

The order also creates an Inter-Agency Technical Working Group—Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, Bureau of Treasury, and Government Service Insurance System—to conduct a full review of the MUP pension system and recommend necessary legislation.

MUP agencies are directed to provide technical and administrative support for the review.

The DBM must issue implementing guidelines within 90 days, while member-agencies must name their representatives within 30 days of the EO’s effectivity.