FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 
2355 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution recognizes the significant role of our Armed Forces as the 
protector of the people, tasked to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of 
the national territory. With the enormity of these tasks, there arises a need to uphold 
professionalism in the Armed Forces and ensure the adequate remuneration of its 
members. 
The hard reality, however, is that our uniformed personnel remain among the 
lowest paid public servants. While their salary follows the basic salary standardization 
scheme, the dangerous circumstances under which they sometimes perform their duties 
in the combat zone entitles them to additional remuneration in the form of combat pay. 
Current computations peg the combat duty pay of officers and enlisted 
personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at a measly P240.00 per month. 
This insignificant amount hardly reflects a recognition on the part of government of the 
fact that while soldiers are in a combat zone, they are in an immediate state of danger 
and, therefore, deserve special compensation. 
The last increase of the Combat Duty Pay was effected some 22 years ago 
through Executive Order No. 1017 dated 22 March 1985. It is high time that the 
computation be reviewed and, if necessary, adjusted. 
For the foregoing reasons, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LORENtiiGARDA 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2355 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
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INCREASING THE COMBAT DUTY PAY OF ALL ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF 
THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES TO TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT (25%) 
OF THEIR BASE PAY AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of the Representatives of the Philippines m 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Increase in Combat Duty Pay. - In line with the declared policy 
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of the State to promote professionalism in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 
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and ensure the adequate remuneration and benefits of its members, the Combat 
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Duty Pay of all officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP is hereby increased from 
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two hundred forty pesos (P240.00) per month to an amount equivalent to twenty-
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five perc~nt (25%) of their base pay. 
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SEC. 2. Appropriation. - Such amount as may be necessary to implement this 
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Act for the current year shall be charged against the savings of the Department of 
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National Defense (DND). Thereafter, the National Government shall appropriate 
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annually and include in the General Appropriations Act the amount corresponding 
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to the total annual cost of the increase in Combat Duty Pay. 
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SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DND in coordination 
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with the AFP shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the 
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provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of any other laws, orders, acts, 
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decrees as well as rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or 
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modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be held 
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invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions hereof which are not 
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affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days from 
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the date of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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