ShareThisThe Philippine Military Academy is celebrating its foundation day again this month and unlike in the past, this year’s celebration is marked with the unexpected proposals for the abolition of the top military school in the country.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Philip Pichay is spearheading theproposal for the abolition of PMA in Baguio City and instead replace it with schools for each major service commands like the Air Force, Navy and the Army like what had happened with policemen who are now trained at the Philippine National Police Academy in Cavite instead of the PMA. Ironically, his brother, Prospero, a former congressman, was linked to alleged corruption involving the military which is now the subject of a congressional investigation in aid of legislation.
Other lawmakers led by Party-list Rep. Teddy Casino are supporting the proposed abolition of PMA, pointing out that the government spends at least P2 million for each PMA cadet every year. This subsidy for PMA cadets is much higher than what the government spends for scholars in state colleges and universities. “This is highly anomalous and discriminatory,” they stressed.
The calls for the abolition of PMA were made in the wake of revelations linking some of its graduates to plunder and misuse of funds in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “There is something wrong with the values system, training as we see in the graduates that we have now,” said Rep. Casiño as he batted for major reforms in PMA or abolish it instead.
Of course, officials of PMA led by its Superintendent Leonardo Calderon are against the proposal to abolish the academy. Calderon stressed that moves to abolish the academy are farfetched, insisting that military adventurism was being addressed by instilling in cadets a love for the Constitution and country through the PMA roadmap, crafted to fine-tune existing guidelines in the academy.
There should be no rush to judgement on the fate of PMA. A thorough study and review of the institution, its curriculum and training program, particularly, should first be made to be able to arrive at the best decision – best for the school and best for the country.