Sunday, March 16, 2014

The current PMA Honor System




Sa wakas, pwede ko nang ilahad ang kapiraso ng puzzle na makapagpaliwanag sa katanungang bumabagabag sa isipan ng marami nating kababayan: Ano yong akusasyong "irregularity" dahil sa nabagong boto ng Honor Committee na kung saan ay galing 8-1 (Guilty vs. Not Guilty) ay naging 9-0?

Maging ako mismo ay naguguluhan paano nangyaring merong tinatawag na 'chambering' sa Honor Committee trial. 

Ang 'chambering' o executive session kapag may dissenting vote ay hindi parte sa procedures noong aming kapanahunan na kung saan ay minsanan lang ang secret balloting at kung ano ang resulta, tapos na. 

Sa aking nabanggit sa naunang artikulo, nagkaroon ng mga pagbabago sa Honor System pagkatapos ng pag-aaral ng PMA tungkol sa naaakmang procedures na angkop sa kasalukuyang panahon. Hindi naman ito nakapagtataka kasi maging sa United States Military Academy ay nagkaroon din silang mga pagbabago hanggang ma-establish nila ang kasalukuyang sistema ng pagpairal ng mahigpit na panuntunan ng Cadet Honor Code. 

Tanggapin na lang din natin na kailangan din ng PMA ng mga positive changes na naaayon sa pangangailangan ng panahon at ang layunin ng lahat ng ito ay upang maipagpapatuloy ang main purpose nito na mag-produce ng leaders of character na maninindigang gawin ang tama sa lahat ng panahon. 

The current Honor System

Merong malaking pagbabago ang nangyari sa Honor System sa PMA. 

Unang-una, tinanggal ang dati nang nakagawian na 'ostracization' na kung saan ay ang kadeteng pinili ang mag-stay sa Cadet Corps pagkatapos na mahatulan ng Guilty verdict ay binibigyan ng 'cold treatment' ng lahat ng mga kadete. Kapalit naman nito ay marami ang sinubukang sistema kagaya ng 'Remediation' na kung saan ay binibigyan lamang ng touring punishments at re-indoctrination ang mga offenders at hinahayaan silang mag-rejoin sa academy. 

For some reasons or another, nagkaroon din sila ng problema dito at kaya naman napagpasyahan na gawin uling Separation from the Academy ang hatol para sa mga mahatulang guilty sa Honor Committee trial. 

Nagkaroon din ng malaking pagbabago sa sistema ng Honor Committee trial. 

Ayon sa parte ng panayam kay  Colonel Rozzano Briguez, ang Commandant of Cadets, sa Philippine Daily Inquirer, "The procedure agreed upon by all cadets that is followed by the Honor Committee is that in a 7-2 or 8-1 vote, the committee members will go into a jury type executive session termed chambering.”

Dagdag pa ni Col. Briguez: “It is like an additional explanation where all of them would go to the ante room and discuss what are the reasons why they voted guilty or not guilty. This has been their procedure since they started fourth-class year until first year and everybody accepted it conscientiously.”

Ayon sa isang junior officer na dating miyembro ng Honor Committee, walang sapilitan sa isusulat sa secret ballot pagkatapos ng naturang executive session. 

"Pinag-uusapan lamang doon ang mga punto na pwedeng gamitin sa desisyon sa pag-sulat ng final vote na syang pamantayan sa decision ng Committee. May pagkakataon pa nga na naging 7-2 pagkatapos ng chambering at ito ay nirerespeto ng Honor Committee."

Dagdag pa ng naturang opisyal, kapag sa initial voting ay 6-3 (Guilty vs Not Guilty), hindi na kailangan ng 'chambering' ayon sa kasunduan sa kasalukuyang Honor System. 


Tabuada vs Lagura: Who lied?

Ayon sa statement ni Commander Junjie Tabuada, sinabi diumano ni Cadet John Lagura na isa sa miyembro ng Honor Committee member na "pinilit" sya para baguhin ang boto. 

Ito ang parte sa kanyang affidavit na nalathala sa article ng rappler.com:

"When he was about to leave I called him, 'Lags, halika muna dito,' and he approached me and I let him sit down in the chair in front of my table. I told and asked him, 'Talagang nadali si Cudia ah…..ano ba ang nangyari? Mag-tagalog or mag-Bisaya ka?' He replied, 'Talagang NOT GUILTY ang vote ko sa kanya sir,' and I asked him, 'oh, bakit naging guilty di ba pag may isang nag NOT GUILTY, abswelto na?' He replied 'Chinamber ako sir, bale pinapa-justify kung bakit NOT GUILTY vote ko, at na-pressure din ako sir kaya binago ko, sir.' So, I told him, 'sayang sya, matalino at mabait pa naman'and he replied 'oo nga sir.' After that conversation, I let him go.” (I asked him about what happened to Cudia. He said I voted not guilty, sir. I asked, but if you voted not guilty, shouldn't he been acquitted then? He replied: I was put in chambers and was asked to justify my not guilty vote. I was pressured to change my vote, which was what I did, sir.)" 


Sa imbestigasyong ginawa ng Commission of Human Rights ay nag-deny si Cadet Lagura na 'pinilit' syang baguhin ang kanyang boto. 

Hinggil sa naturang usapin, ito naman ay inilahad ni Col. Briguez sa kanyang panayam:

“According to the cadet, it was his own voluntary volition (sic) to change his vote from not guilty to guilty after he heard the explanation of the other members of the voting members of the Honor Committee.” 

Dito na ngayon nagkakaproblema, sino sa kanilang dalawa ang palpak sa ibinigay na statement? (Tabuada vs Lagura)

Ayon kay Col Briguez, si Commander Tabuada ay paiimbestigahan tungkol sa kanyang alegasyon. 

Mga katanungan

Kahit ano pa man ang mangyayari sa imbestigasyon ng PMA tungkol sa affidavit ni Commander Tabuada, meron pa ring natitirang tanong na dapat mahalukay:

1. Sino ang miyembro ng Honor Committee ang nagsiwalat ng mga sensitibong dokumento sa media? Sila lamang ang may access sa naturang documents kagaya ng Affidavits, Delinquency Reports, Honor Report at ang Written Appeals ni Cudia. Gusto mong sabihin Ms Avee Cudia?

2. Sa tinagal-tagal ba ni Cudia sa PMA at bilang isa sa mautak sa klase, talaga bang hindi nya alam na may sistemang 'Chambering' o 'Executive Session'?

3. Sino ang nagsabi kay Ms Avee Cudia sa mga half-truths tungkol sa 'Executive Session'? Ang naturang trial ay para lamang sa mga kadete at never na isinasapubliko dahil sa ayaw ng PMA na mapahiya ang akusado. May dagdag-bawas ang kanyang impormasyon, as expected.

Conclusion

Para sa akin, paninindigan ko rin ang aking paniniwala na si Cadet Aldrin Cudia ay nagkasala ng 'Lying' sa Honor Code. 

Ako rin ay naniniwala na ginawa ng Honor Committee ang tamang proseso ayon sa kasalukuyang alituntunin ng Honor System na syang gabay sa ginawang trial kay Cudia. 

Kung ang kasalukuyang Honor System ay hindi naaayon sa Constitution at kung nalabag ang mga karapatan ni Cudia, ang naturang usapin ay mas mabuting i-resolba ng Supreme Court na syang final arbiter sa mga usaping may kinalaman sa batas. 

Ang pinakaimportante sa lahat, dapat ding tandaan na ang Honor System ay para lamang sa kadete ngunit ang Honor Code ay dapat naming isapuso at panindigan sa panahong sumali na ang mga bagong opisyal sa Armed Forces of the Philippines. 


Kung ikaw ay honorable o hindi, sa panahong makasalamuha mo na ang mga iilang tiwali at pasiga-siga na mga makapangyarihang mga nilalang, doon magkakasubukan at magkakaalaman. 


Mahirap ang laban pero kapag mag-sama sama tayo na gumawa ng tama, kayang-kaya nating bigyan ng pag-asa ang ating bansa. 


56 comments:

  1. Ngayong naglabasan na unti unti ang mga nangyayari sa PMA, abay mukhang mag iingat na din ngayon ang mga kadete..hehe!

    Doon ngayon ako tututok sa issue ni Tabuada at Lagura...hehe

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  2. Pakisabi naman kung sino ang nagli-leak, Avee! Pero kilala naman na nila kung sino yun. Ito ang isang konkretong halimbawa na hindi dapat pinaghahalo ang pag-ibig sa duty sa bayan.

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    1. naku sir, dalawa lang ang meaning ng sinasabi mo...

      1. either si avee may bf na kadeteng myembro ng honor committee, or
      2. si cudia may gf na underclass na member ng honor committee

      kaya alam nila cudia ang unang botohan na 8-1.

      syanga pala, naalala ko na parang may nabasa ako na may isang kadete daw na nag suporta sa sworn statement ni tabuada. parang babae ata yon, secondclass daw????

      hmmmmm....

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    2. To quote from interview ni Avee Cudia (parang addressed ata kay PNOY itong statement na ito.) sa Aquino and Abunda Tonight recently... "...I have nothing against the PMA sir, I fell in love with a peemayer sir..." YUN NA!

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  3. KAYO TALAGA MGA CUDIA AY MGA SINUNGALING! IKAW BATCHING CUDIA, WAG MO IPAGMALAKI NA NAKADESTINO SA MINDANAO SAMANTALANG PANAY SALUDO MO SA BOSS NATIN PARA SA OPISINA KA LANG PAKUYAKUYAKOY KAHARAP NG TYPEWRITER! NEVER KANG NAG MINDANAO UY, BAKA MINDANAO AVENUE YAN. SOBRA KAYONG MAGDRAMA PARA KAMPIHAN. LUMAYAS KA SA SERBISYO PARA MAG OFW DAHIL MAS MALAKI SWELDO SAMANTALANG KAMI TULOY TULOY NAGPAKAHIRAP SA GYERA SA MINDANAO. WAG MONG GAMITING DRAMA ANG SINAPIT NAMING GYERA. DI KA NAKAAMOY NG PULBURA. KAYA PALA SINUNGALING YANG MGA ANAK MO KASI NAGMANA RIN SAYO! WAG KAYONG MAGPALUHA LUHA SA TV HOY. SABIHIN MO ANG TOTOO NA KUMITA KA NG DAAN DAANG LIBO SA PAGIGING COMMERCIAL DIVER AT WAG GAWING KASANGKAPAN ANG MINDANAO ASSIGNMENT NAMIN. WAG MO ANTAYIN KAMI NAMAN MAGDRAMA AT PASINUNGALINGAN NAMIN YANG DRAMA MO. ANDITO PA LAHAT NG RECORDS MO BATCHING! TUMAHIMIK KAYO.

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    1. Navy Seal ang tatay ni Cudia? pagkakaalam ko kasi maraming navy seal lumabas sa service para mag diver in oil platforms abroad. ang laki ng kita niyan nila. mas malaki pa yan sa mga ordinary OFW. so meaning di pala talaga mahirap sila cudia as stated in social media to include other mainstream news companies. bakit kaya PAO kinuha nila and di na private lawyers. and bakit tinanggap ng PAO? ang PAO kasi dapat tatanggap lang ng kaso ng mga taong di talaga kayang magbayad ng lawyer...

      hmmmm.... if this is true, im just wondering. Senator ay este Atty Acosta???

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  4. Assuming that was the verbatim na pagkasabi nga ni Lagura, wala nag lie either sa kanila. I think ang dapat sagutin is kung what he meant with "na-pressure din ako, sir,,," kasi one may either mean he was pressured by his peers or na pressure ang lolo sa mga nangyayari which has ramifications sa pagtingin ng mga tao sa saga na ito. If ang former e di kind of niluto which is nakakainis nga naman talaga (eksampol: ay may Major in Cooking na ang PMA) and if ung latter naman, ung conviction (pun not intended) lang ni Lagura ang ma question (eksampol: ano ba yan teenager at nagsu-succumb pa sa peer pressure? hihihi.)

    Expectedly, ang translation in English was geared towards dun sa cause nila (siempre).

    Buti at Tagalig pagkasabi kaya in parting, ikaw na talaga, Lagura! bigyan ka ng jacket!

    -DodongCharing

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  5. and now this topic grow as funny as hell..lols

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  6. ...ganyan talaga ang buhay. nasayang man ang 4 na taon nya sa academy, buhay pa naman siya at may pag asa. yung iba nga mas malala pa ang dinadanas....

    tanggapin na lang natin ang rules ng PMA.


    ..now, move on, there are more problems in Philippines that requires much attention... that won't benefit one family...


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  7. ..di ako magugulat pag lumabas si Cadet Cudia sa latest Pinoy Big Brother

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    Replies
    1. yup, mag artista na lang sya.

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    2. infairness he is soo handsome

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  8. Why not make PMA a private one? Let them pay their own tuition, no more public taxes money and let's see if this so-called prestigious academy could attract students/cadets whatever. There are better sources of military officers in the land and pattern in with the U.S., tri-services have their own source for officership - West Point (Army), Naval Academy and US. Air Force Academy. The only reason why it's attracting people, mostly indigents, is the free tuition and job thereafter that comes in the expense of public fund. You do that and we the so-called civilians wont complain-it's not our money anyway.

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    1. Really? Are there better sources of military sources here? Where is it? Give me the geographic location please. I wanna wake up from that bad dream with you. I understand why "intellectuals" like you want to destroy the Philippine Military Academy. I can sense an envious guy here. You failed ROTC huh?

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    2. mukhang malabo yang maging private ang PMA or magkaroon ng private na military schools or private schools that has its own cadet corps like in US. mag aalsa nyan ang mga makaliwa. simpleng ROTC nga lang, pinabubuwag nila eh. hinanapan ng hinanapan nila ng butas hanggang mabuwag eh. mas gusto nilang mabuwag na ang PMA totally at para maging weak na ang AFP,

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    3. ah... gusto mo mmaging para sa burgis lang ang academy?

      mag-isip-isip ka nga!

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    4. that's insane. you will deprive those who want to be cadets but do not have the means. saka do you know the background of each cadets? dude, marami sa kanila galing sa may kayang pamilya.
      also, the military a place for willing volunteers, hindi yung mga may pera na malakas magmayabang na kung saang elitistang-pangmayaman na eskwelahan sila galing.

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  9. Basta hindi pwedeng ipahiya ang PMA ganun lang yun!

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    1. hindi naman sa ganun. anybody are authorized to critic pma positively. pero hwag naman yong paratangan at tawagin na lang sya ng kung ano ano na wala namang basehan. to the extent nilalahat na ang mga anak niya. sobra na rin naman yon. kaya ganun na lang kaming mga anak niya kung makapagtanggol sa kanya. kung ano at saan kaming mga anak niya ngayon, utang namin sa PMA. at syempre sa inyong mga madlang people. kaya okay lang sa amin mawalay sa pamilya namin at madestino sa malalayong lugar like mindanao, spratly, scarborough and the likes para mapanatili ang kapayapaan sa ating bansa at mapaglingkuran kayo ng taos puso. yan ang bayad namin sa mga good taxpayers ng bansa natin. though isa din naman kami sa mga nagbabayad ng saktong buwis kaya di kami nakapatong sa balikat niyo kundi isa din kami sa pinapatungan sa balikat ng mga hindi nagbabayad ng taman buwis...

      navy99

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    2. anonymous, sabihin mo iyan sa mga biktima ng militar nung panahon ni marcos.

      anong ginawa sa kanila nung binigyan ng 'critique' ang militar?

      tangina mo!

      - warren

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    3. hahaha, natatawa naman warren. May kasama pang mura. Galit ang peg, wheww. Ang dami ng nagbago kaya mula marcos era til today. Ayaw makapag move on, hahaha...

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    4. right. malaki na ang nabago. tumaas na kickback, factoring in the inflation rate. hehehe. mga ipokrito!

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  10. I know there is justice .. maybe not now pero ang Diyos marunong... to the rangercabunsky mark my word ..God will visit you sometime and at that time you meet your maker wala ng panahon para magsisi....at mas masakit pa ang mararanasan mo...

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    1. At ano ang kasalanan ko ngayon Mr Anonymous? Dahil ipinaliwanag ko kung bakit nagsinungaling si Cadet Cudia? Dahil tahasan kong sinabi namali ang ginawa ni Avee Cudia na i-post ang mga half-truths tungkol sa Honor case ng utol nya sa media?

      Eh sa side nila kapatid? Di rin sila bisitahin ng Diyos?

      Welcome sa akin si God. Anytime. I always talk to the only one God. Everyday, naghihingi ako sa kanya ng kapatawaran ng kung ano man ang aking pagkukulang dahil batid ko na anytime pwede na nya akong pagreportin sa kanya. :-)

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    2. you'll have to report to the people for violating human rights first. marcos regime anyone? ilan sa inyong mga militar ang napanagot?

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    3. Hindi naman member si Ranger ng Honor Committee ah, ano kasalanan niya?

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    4. Makikisabat lang po ha... Mr. Anonymous na ayaw pakikilala, naniniktik ka ba o wala ka ring Honor? Itatanong ko lang sayo, si God ba konsintidor lalo na kung nagsisinungaling ang alipin nya? O sabihin nalang nating kung may anak ka na nagsinungaling o sabihin na nating palusot at yung White Lies daw sa tingin mo ba magtitiwala ka pa o pagkakatiwalaan mo pa rin siya? Siguro alam mo naman ibig ng DUDA o ala ka ng Kumpiyansa sa kanya at di na buo Tiwala mo lalo diba? Hindi mo ba naisip na kapag kinunsinte mo yung ugali nya o yung kasalanan eh maaring lalala pa o mas higit sa nagawa kung nasa posisyon na sya? Baka pati ikaw paiikutin ka nya sa mga palad nya at pagsisisihan mo sa huli.... Lie is a lie and Honor is an honor....kung meron ka panindigan mo kung wala eh, di pag-aralan at intindihin muna ni Cudia kung anong ibig sabihin ng Honor, Lie at isama mona rin ang Honesty at Trust.....

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  11. Time will come that Cudia's case will soon be forgotten by SOME Filipinos, who have short attention span, short tempers, at sobrang makalimutin. The fundamental entailment to all this, however, is that somehow, Filipinos have to learn to uphold and improve institutions instead of merely complaining that they are unfortunate victims of what they perceive as unjust ones.

    Gayun paman for Cudia it will be unforgotten memories of his life ikaw ba naman magbayad ng 2 million kasi kung kadeta ka at matapos kang magtapos at nag resign ka sa serbisyo dahil may magandang offer sa iyo ang isang private company eh kailangan bayaran mo ang ginastos sa iyo ng gobyerno ganon din kapag tinanggal ka sa sebisyo dahil sa kabalastugan nagawa. Anyway a very wise suggestion which I read to one who comment na sumali siya sa reality tv Pinoy Big Brothers, if ever he won, 50% nalang ang kanyang babayaran.
    Today Our President state that “Kung bawal magsinungaling sa klase at sa kapwa kadete, di ba’t hindi din dapat hayaan ang sinuman kapwa man sundalo o karaniwang mamamayan na linlangin at paikut-ikutin ang kapwa at ang Saligang-Batas,” okay you lead the way Mr. President una huwag bigyan ng special treatment ang mga mandarambong, then we have to act immediately sa issue na sovereignty dahil hindi lang sinasakop ang karagatan natin ng haharash pa ang china, and lastly bigyan ng libreng edukasyon (scholarship, allowance, livelihood para sa mga magulang) ang mahihirap para sa ganon hindi sila nakakaisip ng masama at nilalamangan ng mga nakakaangat sa lipunan. Opinion ko lang po ito.

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  12. Curiuos lang ako. Ano ba ang sequence ng mga pangyayari? Noong lumabas ang issue na may 8-1 result tapos napalitan ng 9-0 sumagot ba agad ang PMA na nakasaad ito sa H Code nila kaya tama lang ang ginawa ng HC, o nagpaliwanag lang ang PMA pagkatapos ng affidavit ni Commander Tabuada?

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    1. Ang Honor trial ay hindi isinasapubliko dahil ayaw ng PMA na mapahiya ang mga akusado, lalo na yong nahatulan ng Guilty.

      Ang dahilan kung bakit nagpaliwanag sa publiko tungkol sa Honor System ang PMA authorities, ito ay bunsod sa iskandalo na sinimulan nina Avee Cudia at ng mga ka-dramahan nya sa social media.

      Ang changes sa honor system ay ginawa ilang taon na ang nakaraan at hindi lang ngayong si Cadet Cudia ang na-trial.

      Maliwanag na po ba?

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    2. Ang Honor trial ay hindi isinasapubliko dahil ayaw ng PMA na mabuking ang pambubully nito sa mga kadeteng ayaw nila, lalo na ang mga inosente. Ayaw ring ibuking ang pag-apak sa karapatang pantao.

      Ang dahilan kung bakit nagpaliwanag sa publiko tungkol sa Honor System ang PMA authorities - di ko alam. Nagtataka lang ako, bakit nila pinaliliwanag, e una nilang sabi hindi naiintindihan ng taong-bayan ang Honor Code? Nung pinaliliwanag nila ibig sabihin pala ay puwedeng maintindihan ng mga tao? Bakit nila ipaliliwanag kung hindi? Ibig sabihin SINUNGALING nung una ang buong PMA.

      Ang changes sa honor system - wala ako paki. Ibang code naman ang tinataguyod niyo. Omerta code ng Mafia o Code of SIlence, 'ika nga.

      Maliwanag na po ba? Taga-militar ka, kaya self-serving lang ang sasabihin mo. Di ka puwedeng magsalita ng masama kontra sa militar, 'yan ang alam ko.

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    3. sa tingin ko natural lang na ipagtanggol ng blogger ang militar kasi yan ang organization niya. Pakibasa na lang po ang poem na loyalty and paki-internalize na din po.

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    4. Masarap makisawsaw sa comments no?

      Ano solusyon nyo sa corruption? Meron? :-)

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    5. I guess we will never know what really happened in the initial investigation and court proceedings since all documents are not released to the public.

      And if the blogger knows, he can't divulge them also since it is considered confidential. So hanggang assumptions and opinions na lang tayo dito.

      If the PMA really wanted to settle this problem, they should release all the documents in this specific case. And if the Honor Committee is really following a specific rule or set of procedures in investigating a cadet, then they have nothing to fear. If everything is followed accordingly and by the book then the media can identify on their own who really made a mistake.

      Take note that there are 3 major media organizations + newspapers, it is impossible for a media organization to present the documents in favor of the cadet in question ONLY when other organizations are saying otherwise.

      So unless these documents are released then I would assume that the honor committee made a mistake that could acquit the cadet in question. And /Or some top PMA Official/s are covering for the said mistakes.






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  13. Fil V. Elefante3/17/2014 12:29:00 AM

    Sir, whatever general public may think, the honor code is necessary. Those who think or even aspire to wear the uniform must learn and realize that they must be held to a different standard than what they are used to as civilians. Civilians must understand that the honor system can be ruthless and uncompromising. And why is this so? Because leaders must be responsible and accountable. A d the honor code and system help teach those who aspire to be leaders responsibility and accountability. Just my two centavos worth...

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  14. Bakit sa report ng CHR based on the documents they have submitted walang nkalagay sa written rules ng honor committee ang chambering o executive session. If there has a change in the system dba dpat lng na nkadocument ito unless CHR is wrong in there report... Bkit deliberately ntngal yata sa report ang 8 - 1 initial voting, wala ito sa official transcript nila samntlang dapat andun iyon kahit iplagay natin na 9 - 0 ang final voting.... There is really irregularities here...

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    1. Pakialam ba ng PMA sa CHR? Iba raw standards nila e. Yung karapatang pantao di raw para sa kanila e.

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    2. i am the owner of the first post... well d ko nmn nrinig na sinabi ng pma yan but i hope that is not the case... hehe...

      by the way to the owner of this blog: what batch na belong nklagay kasi knina 1990 ka pumasok sa pma so u r 94? kabatch u rin ung officer sya i think major Tabuada, [not sure about his rank.]

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    3. 1990 pumasok sa pma ang blog owner, so since 4yrs ang program ng academy, then he graduated in 1994. Yes classmate nya si cdr tabuada (ltcol rank is commander in navy) as the blog owner stated above.

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  15. another good blog from Ranger C.. this is very educating. at least we civilians will have a glimpse of what the PMA Honor System is.
    -82 brat

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  16. tanong ko lang po....kung mapatunayan po ba na nagsinungaling si Tabuada sa statement niya..matatangal din ba siya sa pagka sundalo niya? at what will happen to cudia if that will happen....

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    1. yap i think.. pero kung iisipin yun why he should do that... to risk his career?.. binayaran sya ni cudia? parang d nman mayaman si cudia... question bkit sya lang iimbestigahan diba dapat si lagura din dpat, if nagsasabi ba sya ng totoo...

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    2. as i understand po, no. within the academy lang po ang honor code, sa cadets lang.

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    3. they have article of war i think sa knilang active servic.. dpende sa violation pwede mtngal sa service...

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  17. Grabe ka naman ranger? drama talaga.si avee...Natural lang na umalma yung kapamilya niya because of what happen...in the first place my iregularidad din yang honor committee pinaniniwalaan mo..at isa pa kung talagang malinis ang PMA sa salitang LYING...ibig sabihn pala lahat ng cadete at mga opisyal na nasa loob eh santo! na walang pagkaktaaon sa buhay nila sa loob na nagsinugaling at nagpalusot sila...:(

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    1. sa tingin ko rin dito, based on the news reported and docs presented in the news, cudia is guilty of lying. however there are problems in the trial conducted as stated by chr and acosted. so his honor violation case might be dismissed due to technical deffects of the trial process. but doesnt change the first fact that he was lying though he can be saved by technicalities of the law.

      Parang drug pusher lang yan, kitang kita ng ibang tao na nag benta ng druga, however ng hinuli sya ng pulis di sya nabasahan ng miranda rights nya and walang kasamang lawyer niya ng inimbestigahan sya after mahuli. Dismiss ang kaso nya kahit maraming witness. now ang tanong does the dismissal of the case due to technicalities changed the truth known to the people that said person is a drug pusher in their community? so i think same din to sa cudia case...

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    2. Ayan nga ang problema natin, proseso, Due Process.Kaya maraming nakakalabas na mga masasamang loob dahil yung inaasahan nating hahawak ng due process ay may problema din. Sa case naman di CUDIA..paano macoconvince ng taong bayan na siya nga eh nagsinungaling kung conflicting din naman ang sinasabi ng Honor Committee. kung totoong nagkasala si CUDIA , dapat siyang paalisin sa PMA ngunit kung may iregularidad din sa hanay ng Committee dapat ay may karapatang parusa din ang nagiintay sa kanila..

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  18. I thought kapag honorable discharged ka ay hindi na pinapa-reimburse yung nagastos ng government sa inyo? By the way Sir Harold can I still be qualified, kahit overage ng 9 days pagdating ng April 1(for PMA cadetship next year, I will turn 22 next year). I am still going to take if sakaling pwede na ako

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    1. yap if honorable, wala yan reimbursement. Makuha mo pa nga ang balance ng salary mo. Pag dishonorable, dyan cguro may tanong. sa tingin ko baka magreimburse ka pag dishonorable. Try mo pa rin mag apply...

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    2. Parang di na ata pwede e. Kasi nakalagay, not a day older than 22 years old kasi, e 9 days before April 1 birthday ko.

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  19. for the PMA as Military institution be strong and strict to implement on what is the current system but be fair and strict to all even in the members officers and honor comittee, kung may nakitang gusot sa sistema banatan na ka agad ng di lumaki pa! at umabot pa sa ganito. para kay Cadet Cudia bata ka be wise gamitin mo utak mo baka lalo kang mabasa. sa larangan ng militar hindi lahat ay nagtatagumpay baka sa ibang larangan ka magtagumpay gamitin mo nalang ang iyong natutunan sa PMA paglipas ng panahon matatangap mo rin yan!

    Sant!235

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  20. Sir, good day!

    I am a student of MSU-IIT, Iligan City who is currently enrolled in a Political Science (1987 Phl Consti) class. Because the alleged violations of the Constitutional Rights to Due Process of the Honor System of the Philippine Military Academy, our Instructor, as part of our Finals Requirement, tasked us to do our own Position Paper as to the case of Cdt. Cudia.

    I have been reading all your post with regards to the issue at hand and have gotten relevant insights and understandings about the Honor Code and the Honor System.

    Sir, if you wouldn’t mind, though this is very informal, to ask these questions to shed some light for me to complete my paper. Be it noted, that if you think, by answering such questions will jeopardize your current position that might lead you to be investigated with “conduct of unbecoming an officer”, just don’t answer and I understand.
    These are my few questions:

    1. I couldn’t find any reference to give me an overview on the proceedings the Honor Committee is following when conducting trials for violations of the Honor Code, but I found a copy of a diagram on how it is done in the US Military Academy (West Point). There stated that the burden of proof is by “mere preponderance of evidence”. How is it in the PMA setting? How can the Accused defend himself? Can he present witnesses in front of the Committee, or can he submit written affidavits instead? Or is it, more of an interrogation type?

    2. You’ve stated that “chambering” is a new procedure and was not yet practiced during your time in the Academy. The CHR in its report stated that it was not found in the written procedures. Is it a norm then that any additions/omissions to the procedures come to effect without any formal amendments to the existing written ones? By formal amendments means having, as its product, a new and revised written procedures that will be followed? Have you, yourself, being a cadet once, have read the procedures of investigation when there comes a probe of a violation to the Honor Code?

    3. CHR claimed that the 8-1 vote was not indicated in the Minutes of Meeting because the Recorders believe that it was just the Initial Vote. Again, according to the CHR reports, they found no reference in the Written Procedure describing an Initial Vote. Instead, what they saw was immediately the 9-0 unanimous vote of Guilty. How important is the “Minutes” in every trial? Do additions, omissions and alterations of entries in the minutes constitute irregularities in the proceedings?

    4. As far as you know/remember, were there any chances in the past that the decision of the Honor Committee (finding a Cadet, guilty for violating the Honor Code) has been overruled by CRAB or anyone in the higher in the hierarchy by reason of Irregularities in the Proceedings of the trial?

    5. From a mindset of a person who once was a PMA Cadet, now in the active service of the Armed Forces, how important is the Constitution and the observance of it by the PMA and all the military troops?


    Jana Olivar
    Twitter: @janaolivar89

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    1. Unahan ko na ng sagot si Ranger in some points.

      1) In the case of Cudia, reading from the evidence he presented to the media, he may have actually ensured his conviction by his own evidence set against the backdrop of the CCAFP.

      4) Yes, in 1956, the decision of the Honor Committee to separate Cadet Vargas from the institution was overruled by the then Chief of Staff who happens to be the father of Cadet Vargas.

      In the 70's, there were 2 cadets who was separated but was overruled by the courts. Don't know much about the details but the officers were not effective in the execution of their duties as military officers. They left the service shortly after.

      In the 80's a Cadet was found cheating but was penalized to do only touring. He was not removed from the the academy. He eventually become PSG and robbed an ATM machine.

      ----

      Some leads that you might like to take note of:

      0) As this is the Philippine Military Academy, the cadets are actually full fledged soldiers in officer training. A good background reading in the CCAFP as well as Court Martial proceedings will be a good reference point. Yes they are already soldiers, they get a pay higher than a master Sargent but lower than a 2nd lieutenant.

      1) Discover or establish the tradition of the Honor System : As this is a collegial committee composed of peers, what is the acceptable process of adapting a process? Does a lack of a written set of rules make the process informal? Will a presentation of the process and verbal acceptance be sufficient?

      2) In terms of Due Process : you might want to take into account the process mentioned above.
      - what appeals process were made available to Cudia? How many appeals are allowed by the rules? how many are given to Cudia? how many were chances did Cudia use?
      - as it is, I see the government bending over and giving all chances for appeal to Cudia which is quite unfair considering there were others expelled for the same offense.
      - You might also want to check the "re-commendatory" nature of the committee which may or may not be affirmed by the PMA superintendent.
      - dig into the definitions of lying and quibbling. The PMA considers half truths as lies. Ranger has an earlier blog explaining this thing called QUIBBLING and LYING.

      3) You might also want to consider getting inputs from different PMA eras as the mindset were different. The Honor Code did not change, but the Honor System might have been tweaked with the changing times. Get a resource from the 70's who were products of Martial Law. Late 80's who were the cadet's of the EDSA revolution and the Baguio Earthquake. 90's for the Internet and Feminist generation (first female cadet, did the Honor System change?), 2000's post 9-11, Erap and GMA presidency, Suicide of Angie Reyes, and now 2013's AFP modernization and the Cudia Case.

      4) You can also dig into the changes that happen to PMA and the Honor System following 1986 walkout and some of the documented deaths due to training/hazing, there was one in 2001

      5) And lastly, you might want to check the stories of PMA alumni who have fallen in battle in defense our our Constitution. Recently published were Lt. Meneses, Lt. Rama and Lt. Damian. Get their the story of how they lived and why they made the ultimate sacrifice, and you would have answered #5.

      P. Cauton

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    2. Sir, thank you for your answers and suggestions...

      But with regards to the first question, though you did not mention, but is it correct for me to imply that the Honor Committees judgement (burden of proof) is also by "mere preponderance of evidence", as opposed to prove "guilty beyond reasonable doubt" where substantial evidence is required.

      @janaolivar89

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  21. mag move on ka nalang Cudia. Anyway, papatayin ka rin lang naman ng mga mangmang na NPA or Abusayaf sa Mindanao. Mag Lawyer ka nalang at papanagutin mo lahat ang mga corrupt na Sundalo.

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