President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday urged the graduating cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to anchor their allegiance strictly to the country’s highest law, steering clear of political agendas and individual figures.
Speaking at the commencement exercises for the PMA “Talang Dangal” Class of 2026 in Baguio City, the Commander-in-Chief underscored the crucial role of institutional fidelity and integrity as the new officers enter active service.
“As you take your oath today, remember that your loyalty is not to any political interest, not to any individual, nor any passing ideology.”
“Your loyalty must always remain with the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Beyond political neutrality, Marcos emphasized the weight of the PMA Honor Code, warning the new ensigns and second lieutenants that complicity through silence is unacceptable.
“Never lie, never cheat, never steal, and never tolerate those who do.”
“Because silence in the face of wrongdoing is a betrayal of your values, a betrayal of your country, and a betrayal of the very principles that you have sworn to defend.”
The President also pointed out that modern warfare has evolved far beyond conventional combat zones, shifting toward digital and non-traditional arenas.
He identified cybersecurity breaches, state-backed narrative manipulation, territorial friction, and climate-induced disasters as the chief modern perils testing the nation’s stability.
“They now emerge in cyberspace, in disinformation, in territorial aggression, in calamities worsened by climate change, and in forces that seek to weaken trust in our institutions and divide our people.”
“Your ability to discern truth from deception is crucial to making sound decisions.”
To counter these sophisticated threats, Marcos highlighted recent overhauls in the academy’s academic framework, noting that the curriculum now integrates advanced technological disciplines like data science, Python foundations, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and unmanned systems.
This educational modernization aims to equip the Armed Forces of the Philippines with a leadership corps capable of preempting and neutralizing contemporary security crises.