With Binay within earshot, PNoy talks about corruption

CAVITE - Vice President Jejomar Binay was just within earshot when President Aquino urged the graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to shun corruption and bribery especially as an election looms.

"Alam naman po natin, sa Mayo, halalan na naman. Para sa unipormadong hanay, panahon ito ng iba't ibang tukso. Uulitin ko ang hamon ko sa bawat pagkakataong humaharap ako sa mga guma-graduate tulad ninyo: Kung abutan kayo ng sobre kapalit ng inyong dangal, magpapabili ba kayo? Kung may napangakong promotion kapalit ng inyong pananahimik, sa harap ng katiwalian o pang-aabuso, tatanggapin ba ninyo? Kung pinapili kayo: bayan o sarili, alin ang uunahin ninyo?" Aquino said.

Binay is running for the 2016 presidential polls and is hounded by various allegations of corruption.

At the ceremonies, Aquino also gave the newly minted inspectors their first marching orders: ensure that the elections would be honest and peaceful.

"Tiwala akong nahubog kayo nang husto ng PNPA upang manatiling tumatahak palagi sa daang matuwid. Sa mga darating na buwan, ang marching orders ninyo: Siguruhing ligtas, mapayapa, at tunay na sasalamin sa pasya ng ating mga Boss ang ating eleksyon. Tumalima kayo sa inyong tungkulin, at sumunod kayo sa utos ng inyong mga opisyal, pinuno, at sa buong liderato."

Binay attended the graduation rites in Camp Castañeda and was seated near Aquino.

Aquino and Binay shook hands after the chief executive's speech.

Leading the Masundayaw Class of 2016 is class valedictorian Cadet Felipe de Paz Alicando, Jr. of Dulag, Leyte. He received the Presidential Kampilan award from Aquino.

Binay meanwhile handed the Vice Presidential Kampilan award to the second top graduate, Police Cadet Norman Cabangen Pentang of Itogon, Benguet.

A registered nurse, the 24-year-old valedictorian urged his fellow graduates to reject corruption. Alicando is a son of retired teachers. He had first wanted to be a medical doctor but was encouraged by his brother, now a police inspector, to enter the PNPA.

"Saan man tayo matalaga ay parati nating isabuhay ang mga mabubuting prinsipyo na natutunan natin dito sa akademya. Huwag tayong pasisilaw at magpapadala sa tukso ng korupsyon at pera. Bagkus ay ating isabuhay ang pagiging isang kagalang-galang na opisyal na naninidigan sa panig ng katarungan at katotohanan," Alicando said in his valedictory speech.

FIVE NOT ALLOWED TO GRADUATE

Of the 253 graduates, 215 will be joining the PNP; 16, the Bureau of Fire Prevention; and 22, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Five cadets were not allowed to graduate this year due to violations of the honor code. They are still under investigation.

PNPA spokesperson Chief Inspector Ritchie Yatar reiterated the need to follow the honor code and carry out penalties in cases of violation.

He said the PNPA is out to shape the character of its graduates.

"Higit sa lahat, sa skills, galing at dunong ng isang hinubog naming kadete , mas naka-pokus kami doon sa karakter niya kasi 'yun 'yung magdadala sa kanya sa labas," Yatar told ABS-CBN.

"Napakahalaga ng karakter kasi hairline lang ang pagitan ng tukso at temptation sa labas, sa ideals ng isang law enforcer na nanggagaling sa akademya at mga opisyal natin… The moment na bigla kang bumigay, malaki nang bagay 'yun.

"Isipin mo na lang kung magiging ganun sila 'pag dating sa labas, trinain pa sila, kumbaga pinalaki natin sila, binigyan natin sila ng galing tapos ganun din pala ang gagawin nila kaya nakapokus kami sa karakter kaya ganoon kahigpit ang akademya. Gusto man namin na patapusin sila lahat dito pero wala kaming magagawa kung mayroon silang violation. Talagang ang standard ng academy para doon i-apply namin, wala kaming pipiliin," Yatar added.