Firsts among firsts at PMA graduation rites

June 1, 2019 Headlines

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City —President Rodrigo Roa Duterte “rocked” the Philippine Military Academy graduating rites with several “firsts among his firsts” on Sunday, May 26.
Presiding over the commencement rites of the 261 strong “Mabalasik” class of 2019 (Mandirigma ng Bayan Lakas at Sarili Iaalay para sa Kapayapaan), the Commander-in- chief rode on the “PMA Carabao” in trooping the long gray line instead of strutting
into the hallowed ground of the Academy.
In 2018, Duterte marched towards the “long gray line”. Pres. Duterte also skipped handing over the awards and certificates of the graduating class except to topnotch Dionne Mae Apolog Umalla who received the Presidential Saber from the Commander-in-chief.
Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana instead took charge of handing over the awards and certificates to the rest of the 216 graduates.
In 2018, Duterte peppedtalk each and every PMA graduate while handing over their diplomas, especially to those coming from his beloved Mindanao and hometown Davao.
The fifth placer of the graduating class is from Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, Aldren Maambong Altamero.
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 the second biggest number of graduates (47), second to Tagalogs (86), but Pres. Duterte immediately stood when it was the “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 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 address to the cadets with no “adlibs”, no feisty and anticfull, the President bade the graduating cadets to serve the country well.
Then came the heavy downpour that drenched the graduates and their family members at the sidelines of the Borromeo Field.
 
Ace Alegre/ABN