PH has no need for soldiers, police who will retire over pension reform —Castro

The country does not need soldiers and police who would retire if the proposed changes to the military and uniformed personnel pension (MUP) system come to pass, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said on Wednesday.

Castro, the House Deputy Minority Leader, made the statement in response to Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Robin Padilla who had warned of mass retirement if the automatic indexation of pensions to salaries is removed, and mandatory contributions are imposed.

"Reports of MUPs taking early retirement or leaving the service due to the pension issue highlight the mercenary mindset of some MUPs who only serve and protect as long as they receive high salaries and pensions," Castro said.

"Hindi natin kailangan ng mga sundalo o pulis nandyan lamang dahil mataas ang sahod at pensyon nila tapos mawawala na kapag bumaba na ang mga ito," she added.

"Kung ganun ay pera lang ang habol nila at madaling matutukso ang mga ganyang tipo na maging corrupt o maging parte mismo ng mga sindikato tulad ng sa droga o guns for hire,” Castro said.

(We don’t need soldiers and policemen who are only there for the high salary and subsequent pension, who will leave in a heartbeat once this pension is reduced under the proposed reform. Those who are only after money are the kind of people who will easily be lured to join crime syndicates such as those into drugs or guns for hire.)

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police over Castro's statement. It will publish their reply as soon as it becomes available.

“'Di na sila nahiya sa mga tunay na bayani ng bayan na nagbuwis na ng buhay para ipagtanggol ang ating kalayaan at mga karapatan at ang mga nabubuhay pa na ginugugol ang kanilang talino at galing para sa nakararami, " Castro added.

(They are not ashamed of the heroes of our country who gave their lives to fight for our freedom and rights, as well as used their smarts and skills for the common good.)

Castro said that MUP reform should be pursued because the MUP had been long favored in salary increases compared with other government workers.

“The Department of Finance's plan to require MUPs to contribute to their pensions will weed out those with a mercenary mindset,” Castro said.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, earlier said the depletion of the MUP pension was a bigger problem compared to the supposed mass retirement. —NB, GMA Integrated News