BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Military Academy brings back to Baguio City hundreds of alumni for the annual homecoming.
But the star of the day is keynote speaker Panfilo Lacson, former chief of the Philippine National Police, former senator, and now Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery.
Carmela Fonbuena reports.
It’s back to the alma mater for these soldiers.
They’re as old as Class 1940 and as young as Class 2013.
Keynote speaker Panfilo Lacson, member of Class 1971 tells them, he forgives but never forgets.
PANFILO LACSON,REHABILITATION CZAR: Times have changed. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is no longer the commander in chief. Jose Miguel Arroyo is no longer First Gentleman. While I have forgiven them and their cohorts for their individual and collective actions to malign my personal reputation and honor, I am quite sure I will not forget their names.
Lacson is blunt.
He says many of the alumni become corrupt despite the honor code.
The honor code says, “Do not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate among us those who do so.”
LACSON: Every single day of our lives after graduation becomes a test of endurance, not of physical but moral strength. There is no better feeling than one of self-respect, dignity, and pride that our beloved Alma Mater so proudly taught us for the most difficult but memorable years of our lives.
CARMELA FONBUENA, REPORTING: The Philippine Military Academy has produced many of the country’s leaders. As the struggle to stamp out corruption in government continues, it helps to remind cadets and alumni of their revered values.
But Lacson is a controversial alumnus himself, once a fugitive when he left the country to evade arrest for an old murder case involving PR man Bubby Dacer.
Arroyo’s appointee, former Armed Forces chief Hermogenes Esperon is not impressed.
He says the former and her husband should not have been singled out.
HERMOGENES ESPERON, FORMER ARMED FORCES CHIEF: He had a very good speech except that it was destroyed by the mention of 2 people whom he did not have to be mentioned. Virtues are not the monopoly of people.
Two years before the presidential elections, the rumored 2016 presidential hopeful is back in the limelight.
Lacson’s new post is a chance to prove he can do better than the much-criticized ground commander for Yolanda’s aftermath, interior Secretary Mar Roxas.
Roxas, whose presidential ambition is a well known fact also attended the event as adopted member of PMA Class 1976.
FONBUENA: May plano na po kayo sa 2016? (Do you have plans for 2016?)
MAR ROXAS, INTERIOR SECRETARY: (laughs) Happy Valentine’s
LACSON: Wala. Hindi ko naiisip ang 2016. I’m color blind to politics. Puro Yolanda nasa isip ko.
(None. I haven’t thought of 2016. I’m color blind to politics. Yolanda is foremost on my mind.)
Most candidates with presidential ambitions eventually find their way to Baguio this time of the year.
They all know that a supportive military, or at least one that will not interfere, is crucial to winning and staying in power.
Carmela Fonbuena, Rappler, Baguio City
– Rappler.com
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