Honor

We all know about the PMA cadet, one this batch's topnotchers, who was dismissed for apparently violating the country's prestigious military academy's honor code. We all know his struggle to get back into the fold and maintain his honor, citing unfair judgment on the part of the school. He fought to be able to graduate with the rest of his class, but alas, that graduation ceremony has come and gone, without him.

Honor is a big thing at the Philippine Military Academy. There exists an honor code by which every cadet swears by to. We have all heard that "a cadet does not cheat, does not steal, does not lie" phrase from several high ranking military men giving speeches. Things normally not given much thought like petty theft, telling lies and tardiness are grave violations to the school's honor code. The code is ingrained into the fiber of every cadet, and is not subject to any compromise whatsoever. Obviously we have seen that in the case of the cadet. The PMA honor committee stood firm in its decision in dismissing the cadet from this year's batch, no matter who tried to intercede.

I have no problem with following codes of honor. For an institution such as the PMA, where the tradition of honor runs long and deep, it is everything. It is, for all intents and purposes, the school's gospel. They have to live by it, breath it. But the sad thing is that the code seems to be good only within the hallowed corridors of the PMA. That its shelf life is only as good as while one is a cadet. We all know of PMA graduates accused of plunder, anomalies involving millions of pesos, cases of human rights violations, adventurism with intentions to topple governments, even petty crimes. What happened to all the honor code? Was it only good for four years? Was it all for show? Were they empty words only made powerful by those within the hierarchy of the academy?

This what probably what prompted President Aquino to say in his speech at the PMA, where he was this year's guest of honor and commencement speaker. That the honor code should be lived beyond the PMA. That the new officers must not cheat, must not steal, must not lie. I cannot help but think of two generals who could use a tongue-lashing from the President! If the honor code is of utmost importance at the PMA, more so outside of it when they serve the country. More so when a lot more responsibility is upon them. More so when the people depend on them. It is unfortunate that some will forget the code and just think of personal gain, becoming just another politician. It is a reality, whether we like it or not, whether the academy admits it or not. I do hope that this batch upholds that honor code as they leave the PMA, especially since they got rid of one of their own for allegedly breaking it.