Marilyn Cahatol

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. leads the Commencement Exercises of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) ‘MADASIGON’ (Mandirigmang May Dangal Simbolo ng Galing at Pagbangon) Class of 2023 at Fort General Gregorio Del Pilar in Baguio City on May 21, 2023. 

Rey Baniquet, PNA

Article (news)

MARCOS-PMA

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<p>FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reminded the next generation of military officers that their loyalty must always be with the Constitution.</p><p>Marcos was the guest of honor during the Philippine Military Academy’s ‘Talang Dangal’ Class of 2026 commencement exercises Saturday, May 16 at Fort General Gregorio H. Del Pilar in Baguio City.  </p><p>“As you take your oath today, remember that your loyalty is not to any political interest, not to any individual, nor any passing ideology,” he said in his speech. </p><p>“Your loyalty must always remain with the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines,” Marcos Jr. added. </p><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=302&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F3128500984003767%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="302" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>The commander-in-chief also reminded the graduates to carry with them the academy&#x27;s Honor Code to &quot;never lie, never cheat, never steal, and never tolerate those who do.&quot;</p><p>He added &quot;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.&quot;</p><p>He also cautioned the cadets of difficulties along the way that “will test your resolve, placing you in situations where you must choose between difficult options.” </p><p>“But as long as you remain faithful to our flag and committed to serving our citizens, you will never lose direction,” he added. </p><p>“Do this to also honor your upper-class superiors, your mentors, instructors, your parents, families, and loved ones—all those who believed in you throughout this demanding yet rewarding journey,” Marcos Jr. said.</p><p>From the 207 cadets, 76 will be commissioned second lieutenants in the Philippine Army, 62 in the Philippine Air Force, and 69 will be commissioned ensigns in the Philippine Navy.</p><p>Among the graduates, 142 are male while 65 are female.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/5/15/ballpen-vendor-s-son-is-2025-pma-class-valedictorian-1211">Ballpen vendor&#x27;s son is 2025 PMA class valedictorian</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>FIRST ‘TECHIE’ CLASS</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1998108484426055%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>The military institution regarded the Class as the “most tech-literate” for undertaking the enhanced curriculum focused on microcredentials, calling them “equipped with relevant skills for modern warfare”.</p><p>Special classes were taken by the cadets focusing on AI Fundamentals, Phyton programming, data analytics and electronic warfare among others.</p><p>PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia also underscored this in his speech, as he vowed to Marcos Jr. that the institution “will never abandon the values that made this institution stand out among its peers” as it continue to evolve to the changing demands of modern times.</p><div> </div><div><strong>CLASS VALEDICTORIAN</strong></div><p>This year’s top of the class is 23-year-old Cadet First Class Christine Kaye Librada of Lipa City, Batangas.</p><p>She said her father’s service to people as a former army officer motivated her to follow his footsteps.</p><p>“Nakita ko na bilang isang military officer, hindi lamang siya tungkol sa physical security ng katauhan at sambayanan kundi pati na rin ‘yung human security na naglilingkod po,” Librada stated.</p><p>Librada hopes to be assigned at the armor division once she formally enters the Philippine Army.</p><p>Asked to weigh in on Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s appeal for support to his fellow Cavaliers, the cadet echoed the sentiment of the PMA Alumni Association calling its members to be non-partisan amid the situation.</p><p>“Despite being a brotherhood of arms, we remain loyal to the Constitution and it will not affect kung paano natin pinagsisilbihan ang bansa,” Librada said.</p><p>“We remain true to our duty, kung ano lamang ang trabaho natin, ‘yun lamang ang gagawin namin,” she added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/15/bato-s-plea-to-pma-alumni-won-t-affect-active-duty-troops-teodoro-1810">Bato&#x27;s plea to PMA alumni &#x27;won&#x27;t affect&#x27; troops — Teodoro</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K56mcVVT380?si=c91C1zq2Ermb-fBs" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reminded the next generation of military officers that their loyalty must always be with the Constitution.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reminded the next generation of military officers that their loyalty must always be with the Constitution.

Marcos Jr. to PMA graduates: Your loyalty is with Constitution, not political interest or individual

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Marcos Jr. to PMA graduates: Your loyalty is with Constitution, not political interest or individual

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 16, 2026 12:38 PM PHT

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Updated May 16, 2026 12:46 PM PHT

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