President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday urged the 207 graduates of the Philippine Military Academy Talang Dangal Class of 2026 to remain loyal to the Constitution and uphold integrity in their service.
Speaking at the commencement exercises at Borromeo Field in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City, Marcos told the new officers that their loyalty must always remain with the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and not to any political interest, individual or passing ideology.
He reminded the graduates of the academy’s honor code, saying, “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.”
Of the graduates, 142 were male and 65 female, with 76 joining the Army, 69 the Navy and 62 the Air Force. Valedictorian 2Lt. Christine Kay Librada of Batangas, who joined the Philippine Army, addressed her classmates and recalled reforms prompted by past incidents at the academy.
PMA superintendent Vice Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia noted that the class had received training in artificial intelligence, data analytics, electronic and hybrid warfare and unmanned systems. Vice President Sara Duterte sent a video message urging the graduates to personify integrity and courage.