SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) -
Third Regular Session )
1B MUL 24 P20
SENATE
s.No.__1882 -

Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV

AN ACT
INCREASING THE COMBAT DUTY PAY OF ALL OFFICERS AND ENLISTED
PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP) FROM
THE CURRENT VALUE THEY ARE RECEIVING TO TWENTY-FIVE PER
CENTUM (25%) OF THEIR BASE PAY AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 3, Article Il of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that:

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the
people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the
State and the integrity of the national territory.”

In consideration of the enormity and gravity of the AFP’s role, the State is mandated to
ensure professionalism in armed forces, and guarantee the adequate remuneration and
benefits of its members, as expressly stated Section 5 (3), Article XVI of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution.

The sad reality is that members of the armed forces bear the greatest degree of risk among
civil servants, particularly when they go about fulfilling their duties of protecting the State
and the people from external aggression and internal security threats and performing disaster
response, search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation work. While their salaries follow the basic
salary standardization scheme, the dangers they are facing in fulfilment of their duties entitle
them to additional and special remuneration in the form of combat duty pay.

In 26 September 2016, Executive Order No. 3 effectively increased the combat duty pay of
officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP from PhpS00 to Php3,000 per month. While this is
a welcome development in addressing the call for increase in combat pay, said amount can
hardly serve as an incentive for soldiers who are subjected to numerous risks and perils when
they put their lives on the line to protect our people, our institutions and our democratic way
of life.



Therefore, this bill seeks to increase the combat duty pay being received by the soldiers from
the current value that they are receiving to twenty five percent (25%) of their base pay. It is
high time that we recognize and honor the very vital role played by officers and members of
the AFP by looking after their welfare and providing them with decent and adequate
compensation as well as reasonable and substantial benefits.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

wPrtnwl: F. TRILLANES IV

Senator



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session y
"13 JUL 24 P2009
SENATE
$.No._1882 -fP-

Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV

AN ACT
INCREASING THE COMBAT DUTY PAY OF ALL OFFICERS AND ENLISTED
PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP) FROM
THE CURRENT VALUE THEY ARE RECEIVING TO TWENTY-FIVE PER
CENTUM (25%) OF THEIR BASE PAY AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Increase in Combat Duty Pay. — In line with the declared policy of the
State to promote professionalism in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and
ensure the adequate remuneration and benefits of its members, the combat duty pay of all
officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP is hereby increased from the current value they are
receiving to twenty-five per centum (25%) of their base pay.

SEC. 2. Appropriation. - Such amount as may be necessary to implement this Act
for the current year shall be charged against the savings of the Department of National
Defense (DND). Thereafter, the National Government shall appropriate annually and include
in the General Appropriations Act the amount corresponding to the total annual cost of the
increase in combat duty pay.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The DND, in coordination with the
AFP, shall promulgate and immediately issue the rules and regulations necessary to
implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4, Repealing Clause. - All provisions of any other laws, orders, acts, decrees as
well as rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. ~ If any part or provision of this Act shall be held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.



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SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date
of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,