The
case of dismissed Philippine Military Academy student Aldrin Cudia has
lingered long enough among the chattering classes. When news of it first
broke out, it seemed that Cudia was dismissed for being a few minutes
late for a succeeding class. Eventually, it became known to the public
that Cudia was found guilty of something else; a far more serious
offense from the point of view of the PMA: he was found guilty of
violating the honor code.
“We cadets do not lie, cheat, steal, nor do we tolerate those among us who do.”
What needs to be accepted is that, we outside of the PMA may never
know all of the details of this case, and that the PMA is under no
obligation to tell us.
I find what has happened in Filipino civilian society when this case
became news quite amusing. With regards as to how this case has played
out there, I think it says a lot about the society at large, and not
just about the military as an institution.
First off, this case was brought to civilian society’s attention
through social media by cadet Cudia’s sister. This led me to ask: why
are there Filipinos who seem to think that settling grievances by
garnering public sympathy and popular support noisily is the proper way
to do so? Public opinion is not necessarily right, and as such, isn’t it
better to settle things in a dignified manner, and with those who are
actually well-versed in the applicable laws and institutions in
question?
Filipinos were quick to judge PMA’ers and soldiers as “hypocrites”
for not “sticking to their honor code” once they graduate. The cases of
the “pabaon” generals and the Euro generals are often cited as example
of soldiers who “violated the honor code”.
Why don’t we apply some sort of alternative thinking here?
Has anybody considered that perhaps it’s not the PMA per se that has a
problem? There is one obvious, undeniable fact that Filipino civilian
society seems to be ignoring:
Filipino society at large has no inherent honor code.
Not only do Filipinos lie, cheat, steal, and tolerate those who do
so, they even encourage them. They even elect those who do into
government positions.
The way of life within the academy is regimented – very controlled.
Once a cadet steps outside those walls, however, it is a totally
different story altogether. Imagine stepping into a world which is the very antithesis
of what you were used to and made to believe during your academy years.
While the military, ideally, shapes its personnel to conform to a
standard of a good soldier, Filipino society, on the other hand,
inculcates the “virtue” of getting ahead through dishonorable means.
The guiding principles in Filipino civilian society are rather
simple. It’s every man for himself. Prepare for a forced compliance to a
consensus of low standards of conduct and morality (pakikisama).
If no one complains about you doing something illegal, immoral, or
dangerous, then there’s no problem. If you don’t lie, cheat, or steal,
not only will you not get ahead, you will most likely be ostracized by
everyone else who tolerates and does it openly, especially if you work
for government. Don’t these all sound familiar?
We use words like “honor”, “code”, “loyalty”. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline.
- Colonel Nathan Jessup, A Few Good Men
Yes, it’s quite funny, indeed, how Filipinos can claim to use a word
like honor, when honor is not really a strong part of Filipino
tradition. It’s also quite funny how Filipinos can use words like code
and loyalty, when they are notorious for having double standards and
easily selling any sense of principle that they have for the right
price.
In certain forums, there were Filipino civilians who tried to make an
argument based on a phrase found in the current Constitution:
“Civilian authority is at all times supreme over the military,” with
which they claim that Filipino civilian society is entitled to know all
the details of the case. I call bullshit.
What that phrase actually refers to, is that whenever a civilian
authority or government is established, the military follows orders the
commander-in-chief. The role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is
to protect the state, its sovereignty, and its national territory. While
“sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority
emanates from them”, to interpret that phrase as “civilians can demand anything they want from the military” is rather preposterous.
Filipinos, of course, are not really known for respecting institutions.
Now suddenly this case is going to be elevated to president Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino? What does HE know about honor? BS Aquino is the poster boy for disregarding institutions.
In fact, people should not forget how he had disrespected the military
and had failed to insulate it from partisan politics when he
unceremoniously called for recently deceased former AFP Chief of Staff
General Delfin Bangit (ret.) to resign simply because he was an
appointee of his predecessor and arch-enemy Gloria Arroyo.
Many people seem to overlook that one of the simplest and best ways
to show honor is to keep one’s word consistently. Who can categorically
say that Filipinos are collectively known for this?
BS Aquino’s alleged use of dishonorable means to get the Legislature
and the Judiciary to get what he wants is well-documented in GRP and
other web sites. Up until now, let us not forget that he has not
fulfilled his campaign promise to pass the Freedom of Information Bill
(FOI).
As it stands, it seems that cadet Cudia thinks he is an unfortunate
victim of “personalan” when the guilty verdict was handed down. Not
surprising that he has done so; Filipinos aren’t known to take
unfavorable circumstances quietly and in a dignified manner. And now,
reportedly the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and the Commission on
Human Rights (CHR) have been brought in to intervene on the case. Aside
from “honorable” BS Aquino. One thing that we need to consider is that
it has to be proven that the PMA was either selective or inconsistent in
applying its own rules. But if the complaint merely states the ruling
was unfair because of a perceived “personalan”, then things look rather
bleak for him.
Bottom line is: whether this whole case could have been settled
quietly or not, the result was a big drama. An unnecessary one.
Unfortunately, it is one that will leave Filipino civilian society with
an even worse impression of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The PMA was just upholding its principles, and because Filipino
civilian society does not agree with principles, and institutions, the
pervading mood would seem to be for the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) to go eff themselves.
Which is not to say that I necessarily agree with everything the
military does or is. The military seems to be an archaic institution
that is slow to adapt to changing circumstances because of its top-heavy
chain-of-command structure. But it is a necessary institution for a
sovereign nation. They are charged with defending the state against all
internal and external threats. It is imperative that the military, with
the help of the civilian state, adapt the changes needed (technological,
procedural, etc.), so that they can better fulfill their duties.
In this particular case, perhaps they can rethink how they can better
inculcate the honor code into each and every cadet that passes through
their hallowed walls.
Cadet Cudia’s case will soon be forgotten by the Filipino public, who
have short tempers, shorter memories, and shorter attention spans. The
underlying implication to all this, however, is that somehow, Filipinos
have to learn to uphold and improve institutions instead of merely
complaining that they are unfortunate victims of what they perceive as
unjust ones.
But first, they have to stop tolerating those among their own kind
who lie, cheat, and steal. Without that, anything built upon a
foundation of dishonor is sure to come crashing down.
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