ALUMNI HOMECOMING
[PHOTO - Members of PMA Class '82
together with honorary member actor Richard Gomez wave to the crowd during the
113th PMA alumni homecoming at Fort del Pilar in Baguio City yesterday. ANDY ZAPATA]
FORT DEL PILAR, BAGUIO CITY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012 (PHILSTAR) By Artemio Dumlao – President
Aquino is not attending the alumni homecoming rites of the Philippine Military
Academy (PMA) here today.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin (photo at right) will attend on
behalf of the commander-in-chief the 113th PMA alumni homecoming at Borromeo
Field today.
PMA spokesperson Capt. Lynnette Flores said it was the PMA Alumni Association
(PMAAA) taking the cudgels for the occasion. PMAAA president retired Col.
Rolando Jungco, however, could not be reached for comment. The attendance of
Aquino's sisters, all adopted "mistahs" of various PMA classes, has also not
been confirmed.
Malacañang confirmed the President would not be attending today's alumni
homecoming due to prior commitments. Aquino will be in Baler, Aurora.
But the Palace said Aquino would likely attend the PMA graduation this
summer.
Aquino last year graced his first PMA alumni homecoming as
commander-in-chief. When he was running under the Liberal Party in 2010, Aquino
was invited by several PMA classes to become their adopted "mistah" (classmate),
but he had declined, saying he "did not want to politicize the PMA."
Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and Pinky Aquino-Abellada were adopted as members of PMA
Class '80 in 2011. Viel Aquino-Dee and actress-television host Kris Aquino also
took their oath as adopted members of Mapitagan Class of 1980, the PMA class of
Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Nicanor Bartolome. Expected to
attend the alumni homecoming are politician-adoptees like Secretary Manuel Roxas
II (1984); Senators Miriam Santiago and Loren Legarda (both 1969), Francis
Pangilinan (1985), Manuel Villar (1977), Jinggoy Estrada and Ferdinand Marcos
Jr. (1979).
Former defense secretary and 2010 presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro is an
adopted member of Class 1976. Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo is an honorary member of PMA Class 1978, while her husband Jose
Miguel Arroyo was adopted by Class 1974. Their only daughter Luli is an honorary
member of Class 1991.
Other PMA alumni expected this weekend are former Armed Forces chiefs Roy
Cimatu (1970) and Diomedio Villanueva (1968), both accused before the Ombudsman
for the multi-million retirement "pabaon."
Their accuser, former military budget officer Lt. Col. George Rabusa (Class
1981), is also expected to grace the event.
Controversial former military comptroller Carlos Garcia (1971) was stricken
off the alumni list.
[PHOTO - P.M.A. HOMECOMING: Secretary of National Defense Voltaire
Gazmin (center) is flanked by Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Supt. Nonato
Alfredo Peralta Jr. (right) and Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association
Inc. Cav. Remie Tigulo as they shared a light moment at the PMA Homecoming in
Baguio City Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. The PMA played host to thousands of alumni
and family members during the event. (Photo by JJ
LANDINGIN)]
Outstanding alumni awards would be given to former AFP chief Eduardo Oban
(1979) for the "Highest Command and Achievement Award" along with his mistahs,
current AFP chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa; former Coast Guard commandant Ramon
Liwag; Navy chief Alexander Pama and Emmanuel Bautista (1981), and Lauro de la
Cruz and Edmund Tan (both 1980).
Class 1952 alumnus Cesar Pobre is this year's Lifetime Achievement awardee,
while 1977 alumnus Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Nestor Ochoa and UN Defense
Forces in the Golan Heights commander Natalino Ecarma of Class 81 are getting
the "Prominently Meritorious Achievement" awards. Cavalier awardees for this
year are: For Command and Administration – Jose Alano (1979) and National
Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Alan Purisima (1981);
Military Professional in Army Operations – Juvymax Uy (1989); Military
Professional in Navy Operations – Erick Kagawan (1981); Military Professional in
Air Force Operations – Oliver Casuncad (1998).
Police Professional in Police Operations – Mario Yanga (1983); Military
Professional in Staff Functions – Emmanuel Bautista (1981); Public
Administration – Joseph Abaya (1988) and For Contribution to Alumni Affairs –
Efren Yebra (1980).
PMA Class of 1952 is celebrating their Diamond Jubilee this year while Class
1962 their Golden Jubilee and 1987 their Silver Jubilee. – With Aurea Calica, Non Alquitran
AFP modernization done in two years By Jaime Laude
(The Philippine Star) Updated February 19, 2012 12:00 AMComments (7)
MANILA, Philippines - The government can get the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) back on its feet in two years, Defense Secretary Voltaire
Gazmin said yesterday.
"It won't take until 2016," Gazmin said on when the Filipino people could
again be proud of its military.
He said at least 138 defense contracts would be approved by July 31, adding
that they are scouting for big military items from countries other than the US.
"Our defense system acquisition units went to South Korea. We have also
dispatched our people to Spain. Some also went to France, all to determine the
best offer and to know if we can foot the bills for these equipment that are
being offered to us," he said.
The AFP reportedly plans to acquire a Multi-Role Vessel from South Korea.
The AFP is also looking at France and Italy for fighter jets, aside from the
reported plans to acquire a squadron of F16s from the US.
Gazmin did not give details, except that the defense department is looking at
military hardware to protect the country's air and maritime domain.
" We need to guard our surroundings, our boundaries, so that we are not taken
advantage of," the defense chief said in Filipino, apparently referring to air
and maritime intrusions of foreign aircraft and vessels.
Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said they expect the formal turnover
of another Hamilton Class cutter from the US Coast Guard by May.
The first Hamilton Class cutter, named BRP Gregorio del Pilar, is patrolling
the West Philippine Sea.
Pama said they requested the US government to retain some of the equipment
installed in the vessel.
'PMA cadets not affected by political squabbling'
Meanwhile, Gazmin said Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets are not
affected by political squabbling as a result of the impeachment trial of Supreme
Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Gazmin said he received this assurance from PMA officials in yesterday's PMA
alumni homecoming in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City, where he was the guest of
honor and speaker.
"I talked with the PMA officials and they told me that they and the cadets
are not affected. But they are also discussing the issue (impeachment trial)
among themselves to understand what's going on in the political front," he said.
In President Aquino's PMA message which Gazmin read, the Chief Executive
reminded the cadets not to abuse their position as government servants.
"The President wants to drive home a message to the cadets that as government
servants they must come clean in serving the people," Gazmin said.
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
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