PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, May 22, pardoned all upperclassmen of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) with outstanding punishment.
Duterte announced this as he addressed the graduates of both PNPA and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in a speech aired from the Malacañang Golf clubhouse.
The pardon of punishment is a time-honored tradition of the military and police academies when a batch graduates.
“Ang tao may kalokohan...we’re all entitled to our weird things in life. But when you become, or you’re now, a policeman or a soldier, kindly, kindly hold the honor bestowed by the country upon you sacred in the hollow of your hands,” he said.
Separate graduation ceremonies were held separately for the PMA Masidlawin Class of 2020 and the PNPA Mandayug Class of 2020 Friday.
The events were, however, closed to family and friends in line with the social distancing protocol to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, or Sars-CoV-2,w hick causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
In his speech, Duterte reminded the new policemen and soldiers to abide by the Constitution and stay loyal to the flag.
“Sino’ng tutulong ng bayan? Who will carry the liberty? Who will carry our independence? Who will carry the constitutional duty of due process, (and) fair play? These are the things which you have to worry,” he said.
“After all, your magna carta - for all of us - is the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. Remain true to that sacred document and remain as ever loyal to the Filipino flag,” he added. (MVI/SunStar Philippines)