The budget for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for 2021 was increased from ₱208.7 billion to ₱215 billion during a Senate hearing for the proposed budget last November 20. The Senate particularly increased funding for AFP modernization from ₱25 billion to ₱83 billion (₱58-billion increase).

The Senate also increased the AFP’s “unprogrammed” funds by ₱5 billion. The said fund is comparable to the congressional pork barrel. It icreased the budget for the procurement of two war planes by ₱2 billion; and another ₱2 billion for the procurement of war matériel for the 11th ID. Under this, ₱800 million is earmarked for the purchase of bombs and ammunition of war planes and helicopters. Another ₱190 million is earmarked as “support” funds for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. This is despite mounting calls to defund the said task force and realign its budget for aid programs and rehabilitation for typhoon and pandemic victims.