Discounting the Philippine Defense

-
The Philippine population is beyond 96 million, 39.6% or about 38 million of that are employed. If the participation of each citizen can be harnessed to boost Philippine defense through an enabling law, or more expediently through a discounted bond offering, urgent and essential funds for military procurement could increase, at a minimum by PHP 34 billion or 40% of the PHP 85 billion modernization budget.

Lets say that a theoretical bond offering with a face value of PHP1,000 is discounted at 10%, with a maturity of 7 years is availed of by the 38 million employed Filipinos, it would translate to PHP 38 billion or about USD 864 million bond indebtedness by the Philippine government to its citizens, and a net cash proceeds of USD 777.6 million to the procurement coffer. The latter could equate to 12 JAS 39 Gripen or 20 more FA 50 Jets; maybe 38 fully armed KFIR Block 60; perhaps an additional two brand new frigates; it may buy 500 or so SAM and Anti-Ship missiles, or even around 800,000 Remington m4 rifles; or 388 multi-purpose fast attack craft. If the same bond offering will be patronized by Philippine domestic companies, the theoretical figures mentioned could double or triple. Such that, we could be looking at a conservative figure of PHP 102 billion or USD 2.3 billion in immediate funds. This fund could readily be available in 2-3 years, maybe shorter compared to the 10 years timeline under the AFP modernization law. The government bond liability maybe offset against the AFP modernization budget or against the proceeds from the sale of military reservations and facilities.  Ideally however, given the currency and urgency of need it may be treated as separate and distinct from the AFP modernization fund through a presidential executive order, so that it may only be utilize to address the external threat. Hence, may be use only for the immediate acquisition of ready to use major military equipment and weaponry. Needless to state, safeguards must be fortified in place to secure the bond proceeds to ensure that it meets the purpose and nothing else subject to strict conformance with auditing regulations and applicable laws.

The constitution expressly provides that the state may demand performance of that duty that each able bodied citizen has to render to protect the nation's sovereignty; it is the responsibility inherent to upstanding citizenship; and while not everyone can be in the military, a citizen may exhibit and manifest patriotism in many other different ways. With transparency and truth as the platform, it is certain that the Philippine citizenry and the constituency as a whole will not deny themselves the opportunity to serve in their own way and capability.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why Russia’s BMP3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle is the best option for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

-
Image
Any avenue of approach in a war zone is a kill zone, be it an urban pave-ways or rural settings. The AFP have been sustaining unusually high casualties, resultant of inadequate armor and fire support. Individual infantry men were fully exposed while in marches on unfamiliar terrain towards the insurgent’s lair. Military vehicles have to traverse enemy territories without the security of protective armor (metal plates, chopped tree-trunks mounted on side of vehicles, sand bags, etc.).  Corollary, essential intelligence can easily be obtained in advance through aerial reconnaissance even before convoys proceed towards its destination. While the latter can be provided by available and inexpensive technology like drones, its utilization had remained an exception rather than the rule. Insurgent’s stationery bunkers/ fortifications greatly offset the AFP’s numerical advantage, that otherwise can easily be eliminated by an explosive blast. Sniper behind hard cover, like the inside of bui...
Read more

The Black Nazarene

-
Image
  The bible regarded the veneration of images and statue as idolatry. It has been said that it separate man from GOD. But why did the Catholic church initiate and administer processions of images? Even more, each has its own assigned day for feasting, celebration and procession. Is the catholic church polytheistic and hence in the practice of paganism? Why would tens of millions converged every January 9 to celebrate the feast of the Black Nazarene   barefooted and unmindful of rain or scorching heat? Why would thousands upon thousands amid risk of injury or death would forcefully hurled themselves into the disarray of humanity just to have a shot at no more than 50 feet of rope that connects to a “carossa”, that carried the image of the Black Nazarene? Were those multitudes of Catholics merely ignorant, or shamelessly, defiant of Gods resentment of paganism and idolatry? Do they have a collective reason for the displayed spontaneity? Were  they manifesting a personal...
Read more

Transcending Filipinism

-
Image
The term Filipinism by itself is Filipinism. It is uncommon in usage internationally, but somehow it made its way to world dictionaries and may refer to usage resulting from literally translating Tagalog words into English. These are English usage peculiar to and used only by Filipinos. Turn on/ off the lights is spoken as Open/ Close the lights; CR or Comfort Rooms are used instead of Toilets (The word “Toilet” has sensibility issue and considered unhygienic); Napkins are referred to as Tissue; Canteen is used instead of Cafeteria; Colgate means Toothpaste even though it’s a Close-Up; Refrigerator is generally called Frigidaire: Xerox is to photocopy even if the machines in use are UBIX, Brothers, etc. The preceding examples demonstrate that Filipinism is beyond lingual.  It is about tradition, customary practice and generally accepted norms that manifest in  language and its usage. Filipinism is also expressions in actions like; the” boodle fight” to celebrate broth...
Read more