Aquino attends graduation of new AFP officials

MANILA, Philippines - For the first time in recent years, a president attended on Monday the graduation of military officers who are not from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

President Benigno Aquino III led the graduation and commissioning of 140 new 2nd lieutenants who graduated from their respective Officer Candidate Courses in Camp Aguinaldo.

These candidate courses are being offered at the Philippine Army Officer Candidate School, the Air Education and Training Command and the Philippine Navy Officer Candidate School.

Aquino’s attendance in the event set a precedent since the graduation rites of officer candidate schools (OCS) are not usually attended by presidents.

As commander-in-chief of the armed forces, presidents are invited to attend the graduation ceremonies of these schools. However, presidents usually fail to attend them and the defense secretaries end up as guests of honor and speakers.

Aquino did not attend the OCS joint graduation ceremony last year in Camp Aguinaldo and was represented by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

The same cannot be said of the graduation of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), supposedly the premiere source of officers.

Presidents have been attending the PMA graduation rites religiously to deliver their address to the cadets. Interestingly, most of the top posts in the military are now being occupied by PMA alumni.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, however, said they offer equal opportunities to those in the service regardless of their school.

“If you are doing your job, what is important is your performance,” Zagala, a graduate of OCS, said.

Zagala said the presidents’ skipping of previous OCS graduations might be due to the fact that the schools then were small. However, the populations of these schools have since expanded, making them important sources of commissioned officers.

Zagala explained that the OCS do not hold joint graduation rites before and that would mean requiring the president to attend at least three separate events.

“Now, they hold joint graduation ceremonies. The OCS alumni requested that he (Aquino) attend and he did,” he said.

"The president recognizes their importance. They are officers who also need his guidance," he added.

There have been criticisms about the supposed favorable treatment given to PMA graduates, who reportedly have connections due to their adoption of politicians and government officials. Officials, however, have denied this and maintained that the promotion system in the military is based on merit.

Of this year’s 140 OCS graduates, 55 were from the Army, 40 were from the Navy and 45 were from the Air Force.

Among the prominent OCS graduates this year were Probationary Army 2nd Lt. Mary Jean Cabillete, Probationary Air Force 2nd Lt. Kristyl May Beatingo and Probationary Navy Ensign Vanessa Katrina Tulang, who received the Presidential Saber.

The Secretary of National Defense Saber is awarded to Probationary Army 2nd Lt. Shiela Mae Enderez, Probationary Air Force 2nd Lt. John Red Honrales, PAF; and Probationary Navy Ensign Tiffany Ann Palmares.

The Chief of Staff Saber is awarded to Probationary Army 2nd Lt.Mike Vergel Conception, Probationary Air Force 2nd Lt. Janna Ontong and Probationary Navy Ensign Eunice Fe Sabado.