MALACANANG justified President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visits to military camps and announced pay and subsistence increases for uniformed personnel, asserting that the moves were not politically motivated amid criticism and calls for some units to withdraw support.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President’s engagements with troops were part of his responsibility as Commander-in-Chief, not a reaction to political dissent.
“As long as the President has the time, this should not be questioned,” Castro said when asked whether Marcos felt the need to show support for the Armed Forces at this particular moment.
“Visiting our uniformed personnel is his obligation. It has nothing to do with any current issue,” Castro stressed.
She added that improving benefits for soldiers is justified by the risks they take in performing their duties.
“If they deserve better assistance, we must provide it. Their sacrifice puts their lives on the line,” she said.
Earlier this week, President Marcos announced a multi-year pay and allowances boost for military and uniformed personnel.
The base pay will increase for military and other uniformed personnel under the Department of National Defense, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Corrections, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority of the Philippines, with the pay hikes coming in three tranches starting Jan 1, 2026, plus a new subsistence allowance of P350 per day from 2026.
Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) earlier criticized the timing of the salary adjustments, linking the pay increase to growing public anger over corruption allegations and rumors of destabilization.
In a statement, the KMU questioned what it called a “convenient” moment to raise pay for “state forces” while unrest and accusations continue to mount.
Castro rejected the KMU’s allegations, insisting that the recognition of the military is based on duty and merit, not political conditions.
“Their valor should be acknowledged regardless of the political noise. Negative remarks against the President will not stop him from supporting our troops,” she said.
The KMU also raised concerns over the disparity between military compensation and the stalled push for a P200 wage increase for workers.
Castro clarified however, that the wage adjustment being sought was under the jurisdiction of Congress, not the Executive department.
