Speaking during the Senate deliberations on the proposed DND budget for 2026 held on Tuesday, October 7, Go underscored the need to maintain the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 's morale and capacity, recalling hard-won reforms that must be sustained.
“Expressing my support lang po, always naman po Mr. Chair, Sen. Bato, Sen. Loren and Sen. Win, our chairperson sa Committee on Finance. Of course, to our Secretary of National Defense, Sec. Gibo Teodoro,” Go began.
“As the Vice Chairperson of the Committee on National Defense, I want to manifest my unwavering support for the proposed budget of the Department of National Defense and its attached agencies for fiscal year 2026, along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I commend the brave men and women behind these organizations. Kung ano po ang kinakailangan po na suporta dito ay sumusuporta po ako sa ating chairperson para po sa DND.”
Go paid tribute to the AFP, recalling how Duterte’s administration had prioritized their welfare and doubled the base pay of uniformed personnel. “Sa likod po ng mabigat na mandato, ang ating sandatahang lakas na lagi pong nasa frontline upang masiguro ang ating kaligtasan sa loob at sa labas ng ating bansa,” he said.
He continued, “alam n’yo naman po na napakahalaga po ng ating Armed Forces of the Philippines. Sa panahon po ni dating Pangulong Duterte, 2018 ipinaglaban po natin na madoble ‘yung sahod ng entry position ng ating mga uniformed personnel. Hindi lang po Armed Forces, kasama na riyan ang pulis, coast guard, Bureau of Fire, BJMP. At kayo ‘yung hero ng pandemya.”
The senator also recounted Duterte’s determination to fulfill this promise, despite fiscal constraints.
“Naalala ko noon sinabi ni former President Duterte, kung hindi n’ya matupad ‘yung ipinangako n’yang madoble ang sahod ng entry position ng ating mga sundalo, magre-resign s’ya. Alam po ni former Finance Chair Sen. Loren iyon. Sabi n’ya, kahit na hindi maipasa ‘yung TRAIN Law (noon), unahin lang ‘yung sa sundalo. Gano’n po ‘yung kanyang ginawa noon dahil alam n’yang napakahirap po ng trabahong isang sundalo,” Go narrated.
He also recalled the opposition he and Duterte expressed against proposed mandatory contributions from active military personnel to their pension fund, citing the undue burden it would impose.
“Hindi rin po tayo pumayag noon sa proposed mandatory contributions para sa active military personnel para sa kanilang pension dahil kung ano ‘yung ikakaltas sa sweldo n’yo katumbas na ‘yan ng isang sakong bigas. Napakabigat po iyon sa isang ordinaryong mga sundado,” he explained.
Continuing this policy of direct support to uniformed personnel, Go highlighted his principal authorship of Republic Act No. 12177, or the Free Legal Assistance to Military and Uniformed Personnel Act, which ensures legal protection for soldiers and law enforcers while performing their official duties.
“As the lifeblood of our nation’s defense and security, our soldiers have often faced dangerous situations that jeopardize their lives and limbs. For these reasons, I principally authored RA 12177 or the Free Legal Assistance to MUPs (Military and Uniformed Personnel) Act, which provides free legal aid to MUPs involved in cases related to the performance of duty,” he said.
“Napakahalaga po nito na in line of duty ay suportado po ang ating mga sundalo at kapulisan. Gusto ko lang pong makahingi ng update tungkol dito.”
Go also turned his attention to the health and well-being of soldiers, linking defense readiness to access to medical services. He emphasized the importance of institutions like the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), which houses a Malasakit Center.
“And also, as a health advocate, we also want to ensure the health and well-being of our soldiers, and we want them to have accessible medical services. Isa ang Veterans Memorial Medical Center sa government hospital na may Malasakit Center. At isa rin ang VMMC sa sinuportahan ni dating Pangulong Duterte pagdating sa operations at equipment. Nabasa ko po medyo bumaba yata ang budget ng VMMC for 2026. Sana po’y masuportahan po ang budget nito,” Go appealed.
Reiterating his vigilance over defense funding, Go expressed concern over the reduction in the AFP Modernization Program last year.