PMA cadet who violated honor code excluded from graduating class

MANILA, Philippines - Cadet First Class Aldrin Jeff Cudia has been excluded from the 223-member “Siklab Diwa” Class of 2014 graduating from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on Sunday, a spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said yesterday.

Major Gen. Domingo Tutaan said the PMA Review and Appeals Board had upheld the decision of the Cadet Review and Appeals Board (CRAB) in the dismissal of Cudia from the military academy for violating the honor code.

Tutuan said the appeals board looked into all the things as far as the case of Cudia is concerned and found regularity in the procedures.

“They (CRAB members) are reaffirming the first recommendation of the former superintendent as far as the dismissal of cadet Cudia and by its conduct of review has found regularity in this. And now has submitted a second recommendation for upholding the dismissal of cadet Cudia,” Tutaan said.

“He is not graduating after being recommended for dismissal from the cadet corps AFP,” Tutaan said,  adding President Aquino has been informed.

Tutaan said the result of the review has been submitted to AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista last Monday.

Tutaan noted that the AFP general headquarters has already endorsed the result of the review to the Office of the President through the secretary of national defense.

When asked if it is possible to seek a reversal of the decision from the Office of the President, Tutaan said Cudia could appeal.

“We must note that the appointment of being cadet is undertaken by the President and we have said in the past that in order for the dismissal to be effective (there) also (has) to be a presidential issuance on that regard,” he said.

The PMA graduation is set on Sunday, March 16 at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City with the President as guest of honor.

The AFP said Cudia was afforded a fair chance.

“The appeal is for him to present new evidence that will prove that he is innocent of lying, and of course if he does show that and he has proven that he did not lie then… we do not see any problem with that,” Tutaan said.

He said the review of the case as ordered by the AFP chief was to review Cudia’s alleged violation of the honor code.

“If Cudia will present something new that will prove his innocence, that he did not violate the honor code then everybody will have to accept that he did not violate it and he regains his honor,” Tutaan explained.

Cudia has yet to submit any evidence to support his defense.

PMA Superintendent Major Gen. Oscar Lopez earlier said it would now depend on the decision of Aquino to retain Cudia.

Lopez said the PMA sent on Monday its recommendation to higher headquarters affirming its verdict on Cudia.

“It all depends upon him (the President as the Commander in Chief),” Lopez said.

Lopez cited former senator Panfilo Lacson, a graduate of the PMA in 1971, who said nobody yet has challenged honor code rulings in the PMA’s more than a hundred years in existence.

Lopez however explained that due process was accorded to Cudia and the CRAB gave the former cadet until March 4 to file his appeal. 

“But up to this time, no responses from Cudia or documents and evidence were given,” Lopez said.

“We decided to submit the recommendation affirming the recommendation of his separation on Monday. The President has the final decision,” he added.

And if on Sunday Aquino reinstates Cudia, Lopez said it would be a first. “We are ready for it (possibility),” he said. – With Artemio Dumlao