P11 billion more for Philippine defense

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile was able to achieve at a recent meeting of the bicameral conference committee on the National Budget an increase of P10 billion for the Philippine Air Force for the purchase of sorely needed jet aircraft for the country. The senator, was attending the conference committee meeting along with fellow Senators Ralph Recto and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino and the members of the House contingent, when he deplored the low budget provided for national defense and security, especially in the face of growing challenges in the South China Sea. He proceeded to cull P4 billion from the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), P5 billion from the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and P1 billion from the President’s Contingency Fund – for a total of P10 billion. Together with P1 billion which Sen. Loren [...]