Noy to PMA graduates: Shun gold's temptations

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City, Philippines – Mincing no words against corruption in the military, President Aquino yesterday urged the graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to turn away from “gold’s temptations” and become saviors of the poor from the quagmire of poverty.

Aquino addressed the 196 graduates of PMA Class 2011 “Laon-Alab,” enjoining them to resist temptations of wealth and live up to the ideals of the academy and the military as an institution.

“I hope you can say ‘no’ when somebody dumps a truckload of money in front of you. Live up to the ideals of the PMA. You are not here to get rich,” Aquino told the newly commissioned officers in Filipino.

Aquino also assured the graduates that the government is looking at the welfare of the troops while being tough against corruption in the military and those responsible.

Alluding to two former military budget comptrollers accused of massive corruption, Aquino said some officers openly enjoyed lavish lifestyles, splurging on foreign trips with their wives.

“We’ll have these robbers and their cohorts pay for their crimes. Wala tayong sasantuhin (Nobody will be spared),” he said.

Class valedictorian Navy Ensign Angelo Parras said he could not promise his “mistahs” (classmates) will tread the ideal path.

“I wish those ideals would be with us when we leave Borromeo Field and the PMA. Everyone (of us) has his (or her) own thinking... though we will try our best to attain the ideals of P-Noy (Aquino),” Parras said.

Amid the “pabaon” scandals rocking the military organization, Parras expressed his support for the AFP and the PMA.

“We should not destroy the (military) institution because of one man. There are thousands of heroes graduating from the PMA,” Parras said.

Parras led the graduates in promising to serve and protect the people amid the controversies in the military.

Aquino told the graduates that they would be walking into the “realities of poverty and injustice (in the country).”

“As you walk out from the PMA, you will face a different kind of war. The measure of your heroism will not be on how you will fire your guns but how you measure up to your oath and conduct to the people. Your power comes from the Filipino people,” Aquino said.

Aquino handed over to Parras the Presidential Saber for topping the Laon Alab (Lakas Tipon Alagad ng Bayan) Class 2011.

The town of Apalit in Pampanga has already prepared a welcome for Parras, according to town Mayor Jun Tetangco.

“Apalit has many PMA graduates, but it’s the first time that one topped the class and outdoing 195 others in his graduating class,” Tetangco said.

Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda said the provincial government is also set to cite Parras for topping the PMA class.

Aquino led the commissioning of the 196 graduates as second lieutenants and ensigns of the AFP. Parras, for his part, has opted to join the Philippine Navy.

Cadets 1st Class John Gregor Guiang, 21, of Zamboanga del Norte, and Jason Cortes Luna, 23, of Enrile, Cagayan, ranked second and third, respectively.

Of the 196 graduates, 22 are female. Of the number, 105 will join the Army, 51 will go to the Navy and 40 will join the Air Force.

The other top graduates were Aljan Cabriga Dino of Naic, Cavite; Rigor Narag Pamittan of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Janice Baniaga Matbagan of Baguio City; Bobby Gabayno of Cainta, Rizal; Ramon Kristofer Ganab Engay of Tuao, Cagayan; Norman Avila Carual of Tabaco City, Albay, and Jason Fabros Parinas of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

This year’s graduating class is the youngest in the last five years with their median ages between 20 and 22.

At least 10 from the class were aged 20 and would need to sign a waiver to serve as officers in the military because AFP requires its members to be at least 21 years old. -With Delon Porcalla, Ding Cervantes