PMA systems, processes under review

MANILA, Philippines —The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has been instructed to review its “systems” even before the controversial “dismissal” of Cadet Aldrin Jeff Cudia happened. This is part of the PMA Roadmap 2028 to turn the academy into the country’s premiere leadership school.

“It is a continuing process. Even without this, we have given the guidance to continuously review the processes and the systems in PMA,” Armed Forces chief General Emmanuel Bautista told reporters on Thursday, February 20.

“That is part of the PMA transformation as well. It’s not just that. It includes the curriculum so we are always updated and responsive to the requirements of the times,” Bautista added.

Cudia was expected to “resign honorably” after he was found guilty of violating the sacred PMA Honor Code which states that cadets do not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do so. (READ: 2 minutes late for class, PMA cadet dismissed? and PMA: It’s not about cadet being late)

His family brought his case to Facebook and got a lot of symphathy. It stirred a debate on the internal processes of the academy.

Cudia’s case was submitted to the military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, but Bautista returned it to the PMA for review. He ordered a re-investigation of the case. (READ: PMA: It’s not about cadet being late)

“Let’s wait for the results of the investigation,” Bautista said. The chief of staff did not set a deadline, however. Cudia is supposed to graduate with honors next month. 

Bautista lamented how Cudia’s case became controversial. “This is within the Cadet Corps. There are systems and processes in the Cadet Corps. There’s an honor system. There are internal processes so that may be a part of the investigation. Let’s find out what happened. Let’s wait. We do not have definitive answers to all of these,” Bautista said. 

He said he ordered the re-investigation “in the interest of transparency.”

The PMA Honor Code is a revered tradition in the academy. It was the central message of former Senator Panfilo Lacson in his keynote speech during the PMA Alumni Homecoming over the weeked. – Rappler.com