Senate President Francis Escudero yesterday defended the government’s plan to modernize the military amid concerns aired by some sectors over the cost of the proposed purchase of 20 F-16 fighter jets from the United States.
“It is only right that we strengthen our armed forces to provide deterrence. This is for defense, not for offense. That doesn’t mean we won’t also purchase equipment for agriculture, education, and healthcare,” he said in a radio interview.
“Whatever we spend on weapons, under the Constitution, it cannot exceed the allocation for the education sector in the annual budget, including debt payments,” Escudero assured.
The US State Department has approved a possible sale, but the Philippine government has not finalized any purchase.
The Senate chief clarified that the deal, if approved, would fall under a Multi-Year Contractual Authority (MYCA), which means the cost would be spread out over 10 to 15 years.
The proposed acquisition, estimated at around $5.58 billion or roughly ₱300 billion, is intended to boost the country’s external defense capabilities.
The Philippines is expected to secure a long-term loan from Washington to finance the purchase.
“Any military buildup for defense, and let me be clear, for the defense of a nation, should not be interfered with, meddled in, or assumed by any country to be directed at them. When China strengthened its armed forces, did we complain? Did we try to stop them?” Escudero stressed.
Critics have questioned the timing of the plan, citing widespread poverty and the need for more funding in sectors like education, healthcare and agriculture.
Escudero responded by stressing that national defense spending does not come at the expense of social services.
He added that governance means balancing priorities and that funding can be stretched or sourced through loans if necessary.
“This is for us, for the defense and security of our country, and to provide deterrence, so that no war ever starts,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, deliveries of the F-16 fighter jets, should the Philippine government approve the deal, could begin as early as next year and will likely be made in phases, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said yesterday.
“All of these are new. The US has been offering us this block for a long time. These will be available for delivery sometime next year or 2027, the succeeding ones,” the envoy said in a radio interview.
“We can have our own F-16s depending on the terms, if they’re affordable for us, and if they would be approved by Congress and the President. But that is an offer as part of our AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) modernization program,” he added.
The F-16 fighter jets represent what could be the most ambitious and costly acquisition under the Philippines’ military modernization program, which has faced delays due to funding constraints.
Furthermore, the AFP also announced plans to acquire additional missile systems and warships to establish a more “reliable deterrent force.”
Romualdez acknowledged that China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea is a key factor driving the Philippines’ push to modernize its armed forces and acquire fighter jets.
“China is also a factor. Of course, our biggest challenge now is that our territorial integrity and sovereignty is being challenged. That is the reason why we are now really working at getting our air force and armed forces to be modernized so that we can defend ourselves somehow,” he said.
Still, the National Security Council (NSC) clarified on Thursday that the planned acquisition of fighter jets is not directed at any particular country, but rather forms part of the Philippine military’s modernization.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “PH envoy says delivery of US fighter jets likely by 2026 or 2027”