CHR: Dismissed PMA cadet deprived of due process

MANILA, Philippines - Cadet Aldrin Jeff Cudia was deprived of due process when the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Honor Committee investigated the charges against him, according to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Lawyer Harold Kub-aron, CHR-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)   director, said  they found out that the Honor Committee did not   follow its own process in the investigation of Cudia.

“We found that pressure was exerted on a cadet (member of the honor committee), that is why she changed her vote,” he said.

“ Minutes of the proceedings of the Honor Committee were not complete, details were omitted like the former 8-1 vote that would have saved Cudia from ‘separation’ from the academy.” Only the 9-0 vote was indicated in the proceedings, Kub-aron said.

The  CHR recommended the reversal of the Honor Committee’s findings, specifically in officially pronouncing Cudia not guilty of the charge of violating the Honor Code, and restoring to him all his rights and privileges as a full-fledged graduating cadet.

The initial findings were sent  yesterday morning to President  Aquino via email.

CHR Chairman Loretta Ann Rosales said Cudia’s  constitutional right to education was grossly violated when  the Honor Committee prevented him from graduating with his batch.

“The right to education is anchored on human dignity, recognized by various international human-rights treaties such as the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and operationalized by the constitutional policy according the highest priority to the education of young persons,” she said.

“Time is of the essence. I appeal to the President, as Commander-in-Chief, to heed the call to uphold the call for due process and allow Cadet Cudia to graduate along with his classmates on Sunday, March 16, as he rightly deserves.”

Last Feb. 28, Cudia’s parents filed a complaint before the CHR-CAR against  members of the Honor Committee (11 cadets and a military officer) for violation of due process, right to education and right to privacy of communication.

Accompanying Cudia’s parents Chief Public Attorney Persida Acosta said the PMA  honor system is not above the Constitution.

Immediately after Kub-aron received the complaint, CHR lawyers got the dismissed cadet’s affidavit at the PMA holding center, where he was placed three weeks ago.

Kub-aron said they will continue getting more documentary evidences and other documents about the case to merit filing of cases against members of the Honor Committee in court. 

“There will still be final resolution (of the complaint by the Cudias),” he said.

The CHR’s actions will instead help the PMA institute reforms, Kub-aron said. — Rhodina Villanueva, Artemio Dumlao