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President Aquino
decides not to allow Cudia to graduate pending an investigation |
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BAGUIO CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III met with Philippine Military
Academy cadet Jeff Aldrin Cudia and his family Saturday and decided not to
allow him to graduate on Sunday pending a new investigation.
In a statement Saturday, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said he and the
President met Cudia and his family and heard their appeals and requests.
"They had appeals, requests and also raised some issues. We made sure that
they were given the opportunity to air their side. At the end of which, we
recommended that they formalize their appeal, requests and other concerns in
writing," Gazmin said in the statement.
"It was agreed that Cdt 1Cl Cudia will not graduate tomorrow, without
prejudice to whatever will be the result of their new appeal, which is now
elevated to the CSAFP whom the President directed to investigate."
This week, the Palace said it was studying the appeal of Cudia who will not
graduate for allegedly violating the PMA's Honor Code.
In a statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary
Herminio Coloma Jr. said the PMA Honor Code is essential in the character
formation of future leaders and members of the Armed forces.
"The basic objective of the PMA honor code is to prepare and fortify the
mindset and the value set of the prospective Armed Forces officer as these
will eventually be put to a severe test in the battlefield and arenas of
conflict, where the officer will be deployed upon commissioning," he said.
The PMA had dismissed Cudia who is now on indefinite leave. Cudia, the batch
salutatorian, will be separated from service after having allegedly violated
the academy's Honor Code, the PMA said. It added that Cudia couldn't acquire
his degree and other distinctions.
Cudia was accused of having lied about his reason for tardiness in class.
After Cudia appealed his case, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista
ordered a reinvestigation of the incident. PND (as) |
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President Aquino
leads 109th PMA Commencement Exercises |
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BAGUIO CITY) President Benigno S. Aquino III led the graduation rites Sunday
of the Philippine Military Academy Siklab Diwa Class of 2014 encouraging the
cadets to observe the academy's Honor Code even outside the learning
institution when they start their respective assignments.
In his message here in Fort del Pilar, the President said he is confident
that the PMA's Siklab Diwa Class will live up to the principles of adhering
to their oath when they start to serve the people.
"Batid ko nga po: Dangal ang isa sa mga haligi ng istitusyong ito—ang dangal
ng pagiging kawal, ng pagsusuot ng inyong mga uniporme, at ng pagsaludo sa
ating bandila; ang dangal ng pagkakaroon ng isang Sandatahang Lakas, na
talaga pong nabawi na ang paghanga at tiwala ng ating mga mamamayan," the
President said.
"Kaya naman ang hamon sa ating lahat: Kung tungkulin nating pairalin ang
Honor Code sa loob ng istitusyong ito, panindigan din sana natin sa labas ng
PMA. Kung bawal magsinungaling sa klase at sa kapwa kadete, 'di ba't hindi
rin dapat hayaan ang sinuman, kapwa man sundalo o karaniwang mamamayan, na
linlangin at paikut-ikutin ang kapwa at ang Saligang Batas?"
As the cadets shunned cheating in class while inside the PMA, the President
said he expects them to avoid corruption such as when procuring military
weaponry. If a cheater is being punished in class in the PMA, he asked the
graduating cadets to help the government go after those who abuse the trust
of the people.
After spending four years inside the academy, the cadets will start to
experience the harsh conditions outside when they step out of Fort del
Pilar, the President said. There are challenges that lie ahead, the chief
executive noted, adding that he hopes the cadets will apply the principles
they learned in the academy not to give in to temptations in the real world.
"Bilang Commander-in-Chief, umaasa akong kung gaano ka-automatic sa inyo na
ilapat ang teorya at taktikang inyong natutuhan sa tunay na bakbakan, ay
siya rin sanang tatag ng inyong prinsipyong itakwil ang mali, at pumanig sa
katuwiran," he said. PND (as) |
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President Aquino
renews commitment for defense modernization, livelihood for soldiers |
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BAGUIO CITY: President Benigno S. Aquino III assured the members of the
armed forces of government support so that they could have the tools and
skills to perform their duties more effectively.
The President said in his message during the commencement exercises of the
Philippine Military Academy here on Sunday that the government knows the
needs of the soldiers and it is doing everything to improve their
conditions.
"Ang hangad po natin: Bigyang lakas din kayo na paunlarin ang inyong sarili
at inyong pamilya. Patuloy tayong naglalatag ng mga hakbang upang hindi kayo
mapag-iwanan ng panahon sa kasanayan bilang sundalo at sa kakayahang
itaguyod ang magandang kinabukasan," the President said in his message.
Among the major thrusts of his administration is to give the members of the
Armed forces the weapons and tools they need to be more effective.
For instance, he said that the bidding for the purchase of two new
twin-engine naval anti-submarine helicopters has started.
The military is also replacing Vietnam War-era rifles with the acquisition
of 63,000 assault rifles for the soldiers in the next few months, he said.
The government is also ready to buy 12 lead-in fighter trainer aircraft from
South Korea that will be used for the country's territorial defense
operations.
Prior to this, the military has bought modern ships for sea patrols, eight
Sokol combat utility helicopters, three Navy helicopters, and other new
military vehicles, he added. He also said that the government targets to buy
eight additional combat utility helicopters that will be used for search and
rescue and disaster-relief missions before he steps down from the
presidency.
Aside from modernizing the military, the administration has programs for
soldiers such as housing and livelihood, the chief executive said. "Sa
ngayon po, nasa 54,449 na abot-kayang tahanan na ang ating naipagawa para sa
mga miyembro ng ating unipormadong hanay," he said.
Sa pagsasanib-puwersa naman ng Department of Agriculture, Department of
Agrarian Reform, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department
of the Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense,
umuusad na rin ang ating programang pangkabuhayan para sa ating mga aktibo
at retiradong mga kawal," he added.
Under the government's livelihood program, areas in three military camps –
Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Camp Kibaritan in Bukidnon, and Camp Peralta
in Capiz will become plantations for bamboo, coffee, cacao and palm oil.
"Tunay pong sa pag-angat ng ekonomiya ng bansa, mas nabibigyan tayo ng
pagkakataong suklian ang serbisyo ng ating mga kawal ng bayan," he said.
The President is in Baguio City Sunday to lead the 109th graduation rites of
PMA's Siklab Diwa Class of 2014. PND (as) |
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RA 10635 a significant law
for the Philippine maritime industry -- Palace |
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The recent signing of Republic Act 10635 by President Benigno S. Aquino III
is a significant development for the Philippine maritime industry, which
contributes over P225-billion to the country’s economy annually, Malacañang
said on Sunday.
RA 10635 designated the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) as the
country’s lone agency responsible for oversight in the implementation of the
1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), as amended, and other international
agreements or covenants related thereto.
According to Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary
Herminio Coloma, Jr., who previously served at the Department of
Transportation and Communications (DOTC), this law would finally address the
concerns of international maritime organizations, particularly those based
in Europe that employ thousands of seafarers from the Philippines.
Coloma said we come from a situation where over 30 outfits are involved in
the deployment of Filipino seafarers that the European community finds
bothersome as it was not clear which agency holds the primary responsibility
over them.
“Batay po sa aking naging karanasan sa Department of Transportation and
Communications, naghahanap po sila ng linaw, naghahanap sila ng unified
direction, kaya mahalaga itong isinagawang pagsasabatas ng single maritime
administration sa ating bansa para po matanggal ‘yung ligalig, para po
mapataas ang antas ng kalidad ng ating mga maritime schools na isa po sa
isang major concern ng mga bansang kumukuha ng seafarers,” Coloma told Radyo
ng Bayan.
“Napansin po ng mga auditors na ang ibang paaralan na mayroong kurso sa
maritime administration ay kulang-kulang ang pasilidad at hindi po ito
naaangkop sa standards na pandaigdigan. Kaya umaasa po tayo na magiging
malaki ang epekto nitong single maritime administration sa pagpapalakas ng
ating industriya na magtataguyod sa kapakanan ng mga mandaragat na Pilipino
o Filipino seafarers,” he added.
Coloma said the Philippines holds a market share of not lower than 25
percent in the international merchant vessel industry, and contributes an
annual share of over $5-billion or roughly P225-billion to our economy.
Signed by the President on March 13, RA 10635 gave MARINA the authority to
“assume all powers and functions of the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Health (DOH) and
the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) relative to the issuance,
validation, verification, correction, revocation or cancellation of
certificates of competency, endorsement, proficiency and documentary
evidence required of all seafarers and all such other matters pertaining to
the implementation of the oversight in the implementation of the 1978
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers.” PND (hdc) |
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PH-US bases access
deal to respect Philippine sovereignty, Palace says |
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Malacañang emphasized on Sunday that the Philippines' granting of access to
United States' military shall respect the former’s sovereignty amid issues
raised by different quarters on the possible near-conclusion of the enhanced
defense cooperation between the two countries.
Citing the statements already made by representatives of the Philippine
negotiating panel at the end of the sixth round of talks held last week in
Washington, D.C., Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary
Herminio Coloma, Jr. assured that such will be the case once the agreement
is finalized.
“The proposed agreement will allow the sharing of defined areas within
certain AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) facilities with elements of
the US military on a rotational basis within parameters consistent with the
Philippine Constitution and laws.
This fresh round (of talks) has clearly shown the shared commitment of both
parties to enhance cooperation in defense, security and related fields,
including humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
At the instance of the Philippine panel, the United States panel agreed to
the inclusion of provisions on environment and safety, and opportunities for
potential Philippine suppliers of goods, products and services,” Coloma told
Radyo ng Bayan.
Coloma said the aspects of humanitarian assistance and disaster response in
this agreement are significant given the country’s experiences following the
onslaught of super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan) last year.
“Mahalaga po ‘yung aspeto ng humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
Nakita po natin ito noong tayo ay tinamaan ng super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ at
naging hayag po ang suporta ng Estados Unidos sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadala
ng mga modernong kagamitan na malaki ang naiambag sa pagtugon sa emergency
situation,” he said.
Quoting Defense Undersecretary Pio Batino, who heads the Philippines’
negotiating panel, Coloma said the agreement remains “guided by the
principles of full respect for Philippine sovereignty, non-permanence of US
troops, and no US basing in the Philippines, mutuality of benefits and
respect for the Philippine Constitution, including the prohibition against
nuclear weapons.”
One month before the expected visit of US President Barack Obama to the
country, this latest development on the PH-US military cooperation deal was
met with criticisms, especially from Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago who
chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Santiago, according to reports, said the deal has to be approved by the
Senate first because “it cannot be classified as an executive agreement but
as a treaty to which the Philippine Senate must give its concurrence.”
Coloma, meanwhile, said that while he respects the opinion of the senator,
it is appropriate that she and other critics of the agreement wait for the
completion of the deal first to have a better grasp of all the issues at
hand.
“Ang aking panukala ay hintayin na lamang natin na maging pinal at matapos
nang ganap (ang pag-uusap) dahil ongoing pa naman, hindi pa naman po
completed, at hindi pa finalized. Hintayin po natin ang magiging final and
complete form nitong kasunduang ito para po masuri ang mga isyung
tinatalakay sa kasalukuyan,” he said. PND (hdc) |
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President Aquino
hosts merienda cena for PMA new graduates |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III hosted a merienda cena for the fresh
graduates of Philippine Military Academy Siklab Diwa Class of 2014 following
the commencement exercises at Fort Gregorio H. Del Pilar in Baguio City on
Sunday.
The lunch was held at The Mansion, the President's official residence in
Baguio City, around 2 p.m.
The new graduates of Class Siklab Diwa were joined by their parents and
relatives.
Also present were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces Chief
Emmanuel Bautista, Army Chief Hernando Iriberri and other military
officials.
The merienda cena is a traditional event hosted by the President for new
graduates of the PMA.
It is an event where the President gets to interact and share some thoughts
with the newly-commissioned officers. PND (jb) |
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