HOMECOMING
MANILA, FEBRUARY 21, 2012 (STANDARD)
[PHOTO - GUEST AT SEN. EDGARDO ANGARA'S HOME IN BALER: Mr. Aquino chose
instead to attend the inauguration of the 50-bed Aurora Memorial Hospital in
Reserva, Baler, Aurora and described his absence at the PMA homecoming as a
"damned if you do , damned if you don't" situation.]
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III skipped the annual homecoming of the Philippine
Military Academy in Baguio City at the weekend, the first Armed Forces
Commander-in-Chief to break the tradition of mixing and bonding every year with
the "old and the young" officers and men in the military service.
"The President snubbed the event," said one of several senior and
middle-level officers who asked not to be named because their comments might
upset their superiors.
Mr. Aquino chose instead to attend the inauguration of the 50-bed Aurora
Memorial Hospital in Reserva, Baler, Aurora and described his absence at the PMA
homecoming as a "damned if youdo , damned if you don't" situation.
He said that if he had attended the homecoming, he would have been accused of
courting the military establishment, and "if I don't attend I am questioned why
I did not attend."
Mr. Aquino sent Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to represent him in the
homecoming ceremonies. Gazmin is former commanding general of the Philippine
Army and a member of PMA class 1961.
The homecoming is a much-awaited event attended by PMA alumni, of whom many
are now serving in the Armed Forces and holding key positions in the government.
The Academy was set up in 1930.
Several middle-level officers said they could not remember when a President
boycotted the homecoming in the past because "it is unthinkable for the
commander-in-chief to do so."
"He is not very close to the [Armed Forces]," one officer said referring to
Mr. Aquino.
"Instead of uniting and boosting the morale of soldiers, the
commander-in-chief is alienating himself."
But it was not just Mr. Aquino who was absent at the homecoming because
several prominent alumni, including former National Police chiefs Avelino Razon
and Jesus Verzosa, former National Bureau of Investigation Chief Magtanggol
Gatdula, and some members of the Class of 1974 also stayed away.
"Their absence speaks a lot about the lack of unity in the military, which
has become highly politicized," one officer said.
Mr. Aquino said he would make up for his absence by attending the PMA
graduation next month, which he said was more important than a reunion.
"The PMA graduation is a mandatory event for me," Mr. Aquino said.
"I have to administer the oath to the new graduates and commission them into
the service so it is automatic that I have to go in March."
In Baler, Aquino expressed appreciation to the Japanese government for
donating the a P594- million hospital despite the powerful earthquake and
tsunami that devastated Japan last year.
"It's easy when someone has many resources to help less fortunate countries,
but in the case of Japan, it was hit hard by an earthquake and a tsunami and it
needs all its resources for rehabilitation," Mr. Aquino said.
"Like a true friend, Japan did not cut on its aid for Aurora, its own
calamities notwithstanding."
The Aurora Memorial Hospital, which was funded by Japan's Grant Aid Program,
is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. Joyce Pangco
Pañares, Eric Apolonio and Ferdie Domingo.
FROM INTERAKSYON ONLINE
PNoy defends decision to skip PMA alumni homecoming
19-Feb-12, 3:30 PM | Chichi Conde, InterAksyon.com
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III defended his
decision to break tradition by skipping the alumni homecoming of the Philippine
Military Academy (PMA) on Saturday.
Aquino, who was in Baler on Sunday to lead the 33rd founding anniversary of
Aurora province, said there was nothing controversial with his decision.
Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin had appropriately
represented him in the homecoming ceremonies, Aquino said, adding that he would
definitely attend the PMA graduation next month.
"The PMA graduation is a mandatory event for me. I have to administer the
oath to the new graduates and commission them into the services so it is
automatic that I have to go in March," Aquino said.
The President lamented that if had he attended the homecoming, he would have
been accused of courting the military establishment.
"And if I do not attend, I am also questioned as to why I am not attending,"
he added.
In Baler, the President led the inauguration of the new Aurora Memorial
Hospital.
The 70-year-old medical facility has been transformed into a fully equipped
50-bed hospital through a P509-million grant from the Japan International
Cooperation Agency and an P85- million counterpart fund from the local
government of Aurora.
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE
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