P-Noy not attending PMA alumni homecoming today

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City  ,Philippines – President Aquino is not attending the alumni homecoming rites of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) here today.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin 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.

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