CADET MORALE IS STRONG DESPITE CORRUPTION RAPS / TRILLANES: PROS & CONS
FORT DEL PILAR, BAGUIO CITY, FEBRUARY 14, 2011 (STAR) By Artemio Dumlao - An official of the Philippine Military Academy claimed yesterday that the morale of the cadets is getting stronger despite reports of alleged corruption committed by senior military officers.
"I think the issue of corruption has made them more prepared in facing the challenges outside the PMA," said PMA superintendent Vice Admiral Leonardo Calderon.
Calderon said the cadet corps has become more aware of the outside world.
Calderon said all PMA graduates, even the active and retired military officers implicated in controversies, are welcome to attend the 112th PMA alumni homecoming.
Captain Lynette Flores, PMA spokesperson, said the academy expects 2,000 alumni and their families to attend the homecoming to renew old ties and bond with their classmates.
Flores said PMA cadets have access to all information and the media that's why they are not shielded from the realities outside the academy.
There is still no report if controversial Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a member of PMA Class 1971, would attend the homecoming, but former rebel soldiers Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Marine Col. Ariel Querubin are expected to join their classmates in the celebration.
Sen. Antonio Trillanes is also expected to attend his first PMA homecoming after his release from detention after he was granted amnesty for his participation in the so-called Oakwood mutiny in Makati in 2003.
FROM MALAYA
Trillanes: For and against BY ELLEN TORDESILLAS
A cavalier, a term used for graduates of the Philippine Military Academy, forwarded to me a series of texts. The first one was this: "Let us not forget the uncavalier act of Antonio Trillanes that humiliated and shamed Cav Reyes to the public.
"When the proper time comes, let every cavalier judge Antonio Trillanes and put him where he rightfully belongs. The time of reckoning is about to come."
It was followed by other Trillanes demolition texts which circulated immediately after the 2003 Oakwood incident and revived during the 2007 senatorial campaign. It's about the finances and rifts in Magdalo. Those allegations have been answered by Trillanes.
One PMAer also texted me that in the forthcoming PMA alumni homecoming, there's a plan by some to put up a streamer, "Let's boycott Trillanes in the next national election. Be a wise voter!"
Former AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon (Class '74) has chimed in and said he was also hurt of the treatment by Trillanes (Class '95) of Reyes (Class '66). He said, "Sobrang yabang ng batang 'yan" (That young man is so arrogant.)
The incident referred to by Esperon was the confrontation in the hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee on the questionable plea bargain agreement entered into by the Office of the Ombudsman and retired military comptroller Carlos Garcia. Former military budget officer Lt. Col. George Rabusa showed up as a surprise resource person and revealed that he gave Reyes P50 million send off gift when the latter retired in march 2001. Aside from the send-off gift, Rabusa said he was giving Reyes P10 million a month allowance, outside his legal pay.
Reyes wanted to question Rabusa directly which was not allowed by Senate rules (but the rule was briefly waived and Reyes directly addressed Rabusa) saying that he wanted to protect his reputation. Trillanes snapped at him, " If you are so concerned about your name, you should have fixed yourself while you were in office! This is the time of reckoning. You better find very good lawyers….You have no reputation to protect!"
I understand where Trillanes is coming from, having been incarcerated by these upperclassmen for more than seven years and for what? For exposing corruption in the military.
Although it would do him good if he learns to speak his truth as advised in Desiderata "quietly and clearly." his shortcoming in demeanor is not a crime to the Filipino people.
As journalist Vergel Santos said, "Trillanes may have come short on tact, but Reyes came definitely short on truth."
A young Magdalo officer said Trillanes committed only one mistake and that's graduating much, much later than Reyes and his ilk. "The bastards couldn't stand being made to answer for their sins by an underclassman. Miriam said worse things. She used the word moron. And where's the indignation?"
Magdalo officer Lt. Jonnell Sangalang put the practice of protecting fellow cavaliers in the proper perspectice in his Facebook wall.
He said, "While it is true that part of a cavalier's training is not to 'squeal out' fellow cavaliers, this is solely intended and applicable against certain regulations, like hazing, liquor and the like.
"This will not and should not in anyway, justify honor violations (lie, cheat, and steal). These acts are never tolerated. Anyone, even the most junior member of the class/cavaliers is morally obligated to report such violations.
An upperclassman who fails to acknowledge or accept his faith as an honor violator is entitled to be ostracized. An underclass will have the moral authority to act rudely on him! Kahit duraan pa sa mukha."
Blogger Anne from United Kingdom, a Filipina married to a British military officer, said she finds weird the situation of upperclassmen ganging up on a underclass officer. She said "In theory, senior officers, particularly star-ranking officers don't gang up on a junior officer in public.
"On the contrary they should be the first from among those who are on a lynching mode to calm down the rest of the members of the officers corps, but heck no, in the Philippines, it's the other way around. Not the officer and gentleman thing to do at all. There's one word for that: Cowardice."
Blogger Becky said Trillanes should not worry about those officers threatening not to vote for him in 2013. They did not vote for him in 2007 and he won.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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