Firsts Among First At PMA Grad Rites

May 26, 2019 Headlines

Fort delPilar, Baguio City (May 26, 2019) –President Rodrigo RoaDuterte “rocked” the Philippine Military Academy graduating rites with several “firsts among his firsts” on Sunday.
Speaking before commencement of the  261 graduating cadets of “Mabalasik” class of 2019 ((Mandirigmang Bayan Lakas at SariliIaalayparasaKapayapaan), the Commander in Chief instead of strutting into the hallowed ground of the Academy, rode on the “PMA Carabao” in trooping the long gray line.Duterte in 2018 marched towards the “long gray line” in trooping the lines.
Mr.Duterte also skipped handing over the awards and certificates of the graduating class except for topnotcher Dionne Mae ApologUmalla who received the Presidential Saber from the Commander-in-Chief.
Defense secretary DelfinLorenzana instead took charge of handing over the awards and certificates to the rest of the 216 graduates.
In 2018, Duterte even pep talked each and every PMA graduate while handing over their diplomas, especially those coming from his beloved Mindanao and hometown Davao.
The graduating class’ fifth placer is from Kidapawan City, North Cotabato – AldrenMaambongAltamero.
Of the 261 graduating cadets,  two came from ARMM, two from CARAGA, 10 from Region 10,  another 10 from Region 11, 15 from Region 12 and 2 from Region 13.
Visayans also comprised second of the biggest number of graduates (47), second to Tagalogs (86).
But Pres. Duterte immediately stood though when “class goat’s” (last in the Precedence List) turn at the stage and handed a Sig Sauer 9mm caliber pistol to John Mark Solomon as a “gift”.
The President “gifted” topnotcher “Umalla” with a House and Lot from Camella Homes.  “She can choose what area where Camella Homes are anywhere in the country,” an insider from the Office of the President hinted.
Duterte also skipped a long speech before the graduating cadets and just insisted to them “die for your country”.
After his less than 20 minutes no “adlibs”, no feisty and antic-full address to the cadets,  the President bade the graduating cadets to serve the country well.
Then came the heavy downpour that drenched the graduates and family members of the graduating class at the sidelines of the Borromeo Field.