Arroyo misses PMA alumni convention

Although she is an adopted member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’78, President Arroyo was absent from the annual convention of the PMA Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAI) at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday morning despite full military and police preparations for her arrival.

Malacañang informed the convention organizers that the President is sick and could not attend the convention. She sent Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo instead. The President is traditionally the guest of honor and keynote speaker at the convention.

The President’s absence at the event, which was held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Theater at Camp Aguinaldo, seemed to have a significant impact on the gathering — attendance was at an all-time low.

Despite Malacañang’s explanations, some military and police insiders said the President’s absence was her way of keeping her distance from active and retired military and police officials supportive of the presidential candidacy of actor and opposition bet Fernando Poe Jr.

However, most of the active and retired military and police generals perceived as supportive of Poe were also absent from the event.

"Nilalangaw tayo ngayon, ah (More flies attended today)," a middle-grade military officer was overheard as he jokingly commented to a former classmate.

The conferment of awards to this year’s distinguished PMA alumni was also canceled, apparently because of the poor attendance.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Gen. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and former PNP chief and Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza were also absent.

Ebdane sent PNP Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay to the homecoming to update fellow PMA alumni of the PNP’s accomplishments. Aglipay said Ebdane had to take an emergency out of town trip yesterday.

"Awarding was moved to Feb. 14 at the PMA homecoming in Baguio City," a receptionist at the conference said.

The convention’s dismal attendance only improved by lunch time, when latecomers, including Romulo, began to arrive.

A senior military official, on the other hand, said the PMAAI convention’s poor attendance was due to the fact that "almost all of our personnel are out in the field."