Duterte wants free legal assistance for AFP, PNP; unified pension for MUPs

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday asked Congress to pass a unified system of retirement and pension for military and uniformed personnel (MUP), and for them to be given free legal assistance in cases they may face while performing their duty.

During his final State of the Nation Address (SONA), Duterte said a unified system for the separation, retirement, and pension of MUP will help maintain government flexibility and provide them with benefits.

“This shall apply only to the new entrants to the military. Hindi ho lahat. It cannot be that we have to pay so many,” Duterte said.

The President noted that a chunk of the budget has been allocated for the retirement benefits, and funds would not be available to cover all MUPs.

House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee chairman and Albay Representative Joey Salceda earlier said the committee had proposed the removal of the automatic indexation of the MUP pensions to the salaries of those still in active service, but there will be no cuts in the pensions.

In the same speech, Duterte — who ordered the campaign against illegal drugs — called for Congress to provide free legal assistance to both the military and the police force.

“It is also high time for us to pass the law providing free legal assistance to AFP and PNP officers enlisted officers to help them from charges arising from incidents related to the performance of official duty,” he said.

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said he will author and sponsor the bill himself.

"I will author and sponsor that bill being the chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs," Dela Rosa told reporters. — with Ma. Angelica Garcia/AOL/RSJ, GMA News