• President Aquino attends the 111th commencement exercises of the Philippine Military Academy
• Philippines to host ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) Conference next week

In a speech delivered at the Fajardo Grandstand, President Aquino said progress would not be possible without peace and stability.

“Bilib talaga ako sa ating mga kawal. Itong ating narating sa Daang Matuwid, hindi magiging posible kung wala ang inyong suporta. Maliwanag namang may tungkulin sa lalong pag-arangkada ng ating lipunan. Ang kaunlaran, hindi mabibigyang-daan kung walang estabilidad at kapayapaan. Hangga’t nariyan nga ang buong Sandatahang Lakas, matapat na ginagampanan ang inyong mandato, hangga’t iisa lang ang panig ninyo at iyon ay sa taumbayan, hangga’t di kayo nakikihalo sa pulitika, maaasahan nating magtutuloy-tuloy ang positibong pagbabago,” said the President, who led the awarding of diplomas to 63 students who belonged to the smallest class in the country’s premier military school in 40 years.

President Aquino also reminded the graduates to protect the country’s democracy and put the Filipino people’s interest above all.
“Mga kasama, ang mga prinsipyong ikinintal sa inyong alaala ang magpapatatag sa inyong loob sa pagtupad ninyo sa mandatong maging mga tagapagtanggol ng inyong kapwa Pilipino. Nasa inyong mga kamay kung mamamayani ang demokrasya o kung babalik tayo sa madilim na kabanata ng pang-aabuso at kawalang hustisya; kung magiging laganap ang kapayapaan sa mga komunidad na siyang hihimok sa iba na makiisa, o kung babalik tayo sa estado ng pagdududa sa isa’t isa,” said the President, who is also the country’s commander-in-chief.

“Tiwala akong ang mga “Gintong Anak ng Bayan Alay ay Buhay para sa Kalayaan” ang magsisilbing panibagong patunay na ang mga graduate ng PMA, talagang may paninindigan, propesyunalismo, at kadakilaang tatak ng kawal na Pilipino. Isa pong napakalaking karangalan ang maging Commander-in-Chief ng isang Sandatahang Lakas na kasama ng taumbayan sa Daang Matuwid,” the President said.

Aside from the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), President Aquino noted the various capability enhancement programs aimed at improving the lives of the uniformed men and their families.

“Meron na tayong 61,378 na housing units na naipatayo sa ilalim ng ating AFP-PNP Housing Program. Meron din tayong mga livelihood program para sa ating mga kawal na retirado at aktibo man, gaya na lang ng ipinapatupad sa Fort Magsaysay sa Nueva Ecija,” said the President, who also mentioned the increase in subsistence allowance and monthly hazard pay; provisional allowance and monthly combat pay.

“Ito nga po ang mensaheng gusto kong iwan sa inyo: Ang sabi natin sa Daang Matuwid, pagbaba ko sa puwesto, di-hamak na mas maganda ang kalagayan ng ating bansa. Kita naman ninyo mula sa suporta sa inyong kagamitan, kakayahan, at maging sa inyong kinabukasan at kapakanan, talagang ginawa natin ang ating makakaya, at nilampasan na natin ang ating mga unang inambisyon. Kayo na lang ang makakapagsabi, kung gumanda ba o lumala ang inyong kalagayan,” said the President.

Ngayong kaharap ko kayo, gusto kong sabihing talagang ipinagmamalaki ko kayong lahat. Pagbaba sa puwesto, at sa paglipas ng panahon, di na mabubura sa kaisipan ko ang imahen ng ating kasundaluhan, kapulisan, bumbero, at iba pang kasaping bumubuo ng ating unipormadong hanay na talagang nagpapamalas ng kadakilaan sa serbisyo,” the President added.

Kristian Daeve Gelacio Abiqui, an Ybanag from Minanga Sur in San Pablo, Isabela, topped this year’s graduating class named “Gabay Laya” which stands for Gintong Anak ng Bayan, Alay ay Buhay para sa Kalayaan.

The 23-year-old Abiqui is among the 13 “turned back” in this year’s class. “Turned back” is a PMA term for students from previous class.

Abiqui, a member of “Sinag Lahi” Class 2015 who had to take a medical leave for one semester in 2014 due to health reasons.

This year’s graduating class, which is the smallest in four decades, also comprised seven female, including salutatorian Christine Mae Naungayan Calima. The 21-year-old native of Bolinao, Pangasinan is also the only female in the Top 10.

Arby Jurist Azman Cabrera, 21, from Cauayan, Isabela finished third.

The other Top 10 graduates were Joseph Stalin Abara Fagsao of Madella, Qurino Province; Jayson Jess Ananayo Tumitit of Pacdal, Baguio City; Mark Joseph Cabanit Daria of Bangar, La Union; Ace Uy Clarianes of Libmanan, Camarines Sur; Prince Regodon Aday of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur; George Bernard De Guzman Garcia of Labrador, Pangasinan; and Gerald Manio Gasacao of Meycauayan, Bulacan.

The program began with PMA Supt. Maj. General Donato San Juan II delivering the welcome remarks followed by the presentation of graduates by PMA Dean of Academics Col. Joseph Villanueva. PND (jm)

In an interview over Radyo ng Bayan, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the AMRI Conference carrying the theme “One ASEAN: Connectivity, Community, Opportunity” will discuss the imperatives for public communication in the furtherance of ASEAN integration. The conference will be preceded by the Seniors Officials’ Meeting.

Coloma said that aside from the ASEAN member countries, ASEAN dialogue partners – China, Japan and Korea – are also taking part in the meetings.

“The main agenda for the Information Ministers Meeting includes the implementation of the One ASEAN Communications Strategy, proposals for celebrating ASEAN’s 50th Founding Anniversary in 2017 and the ASEAN Strategy for Information and Media 2016-2025,” said Coloma, who attended the 12th edition of the AMRI Conference in Myanmar two years ago.

During the meeting held at the Myanmar International Conference Centre in Nay Pyi Taw on June 12, the Ministers signed the Declaration on Socially Responsible Media for a Peaceful and Prosperous Community to affirm their commitment to further strengthen cooperation in information and media programs and activities to bring about a heightened awareness and deeper understanding of ASEAN. PND (jm)