Opposition party-list reps vow to scrutinize defense budget

MANILA, Philippines - Opposition party-list representatives yesterday vowed to scrutinize the huge defense budget the administration is seeking amid the country’s maritime dispute with China.

“The proposed P75-billion military modernization budget for 2016 sticks out like a sore thumb and we will undoubtedly subject it to greater scrutiny,” Rep. Terry Ridon of party-list Kabataan said.

President Aquino is proposing a total of P172 billion for the defense-military establishment for next year.

The proposal represents a P72-billion increase over this year’s new funding of P100 billion.

Another congressman, Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, said he supports Aquino’s efforts “to jumpstart the military’s modernization program by providing substantial funds for the purchase of new, modern equipment to allow security forces to ably respond to internal and external threats.”

“The Aquino administration has set its priorities right by allocating a record P25 billion to modernize military equipment, facilities and logistical support for frontline troops and defense forces, which had been inadequately attended to in the past administrations,” he said.

“It is perfectly understandable that the Aquino government would endeavor to fast-track the modernization program of the military in the light of internal and geopolitical security threats and the inability of past administrations to address the needs of the nation’s armed forces,” he said.

Albano, a member of the House committee on national defense and security, said he hopes defense and military officials would avoid corruption controversies that hounded previous procurements.

Ridon said the military’s modernization program “will get a big bump in the 2016 budget, from the current P20 billion to P75 billion.”

“That’s a substantial increase, and if DND (Department of National Defense) and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) think this proposal can get a free pass from Congress because they’re using the West Philippine Sea issue as justification, then they’re wrong,” he said.

According to DND, P25 billion of the P75 billion would be used to acquire two frigates, two twin-engine long-range patrol aircraft, three aerial surveillance radars and to pay for the amortization of 12 FA50 light fighters from South Korea.

“While the DND is keen on emphasizing the need to strengthen our nation’s maritime defense, we have to put this budget request in context. Since the enactment of the AFP Modernization Act in 1995, Congress has been appropriating billions for military modernization annually,” Ridon said.

“It’s already 2015, and we still have weak maritime defense and creaking World War II era ships. So we need to ask the DND and the AFP to report on where the billions sunk into the modernization program went,” he said.

He said the budget request “is highly vulnerable to corruption,” since it would be for the procurement of new military equipment and facilities.

“The DND and AFP are still reeling from the P1.2-billion defective chopper deal. And when it comes to financial accountability, the military is not exactly a shining example. This is why we cannot just let the military get its budget approved as is. Every item will be scrutinized and debated on,” he said. 

New ships

Meanwhile, the Navy yesterday commissioned two ships donated by Australia in a development seen to boost the Philippines’ disaster response capabilities.

The two Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels were formally handed over to the Philippines in a ceremony held in Cairns, Australia, Navy public affairs chief Cmdr. Lued Lincuna said.

A memorandum of understanding on the transfer of the two ships to the Philippines was signed by Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan and Royal Australian Navy chief Vice Adm. Tim Barret.

The LCH vessels are expected to arrive in the Philippines in the first week of August.

In his acceptance speech, Millan thanked the Australian Navy for donating the ships to the Philippine military, one of the weakest in the region.

The two LCH vessels are expected to enhance the Philippines’ capability to transport personnel, equipment and aid during humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

“The vessels will also be useful in transporting troops from one operational area to another,” Lincuna said.

The two ships will be named after indigenous tribes of the Philippines. It is a tradition of the Navy to name landing crafts after tribes. – Alexis Romero