Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson is guest of honor at the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014. FRANCES MANGOSING/INQUIRER.net
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Former Senator Panfilo Lacson reminded his fellow alumni at the Philippine Military Academy about the importance of living up to their code of honor.
“I have yet to hear of any learning institution, past or present that instills honor among its students on its truest form and substance other than the PMA,” said Lacson who was guest speaker at the PMA Alumni Homecoming here Saturday.
“When bribe is offered or when an opportunity to steal presents itself when nobody is looking and the possibility of getting caught is nil, we must remember a unique honor system that tells us this: Self-respect is far more precious than all the material things that money can’t buy,” said Lacson, a member of the PMA “Matatag” Class of 1971.
Lacson recalled how former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former First Gentleman Jose Miguel (Mike) Arroyo and their allies allegedly “maligned his personal reputation and honor”.
“Times have changed, GMA is no longer the commander-in-chief. Jose Miguel Arroyo is no longer First Gentleman. While I have forgiven them and their cohorts for their individual and collective acts to malign my personal reputation and honor. I am quite sure I will not forget their names,” Lacson said.
Lacson had said that Arroyo made his life “miserable” during her nine years in power.
Before this, Lacson said he was also implicated in the Kuratong Baleleng rubout in 1995 and in the Dacer-Corbito murder case in 2000. The last case forced him to go into hiding for a year in 2010 before he resurfaced after a warrant for his arrest was withdrawn. He was likewise cleared by the Supreme Court in the double murders.
“All right, sir”
“We must be ready as in all the days that pass for that time-honored challenge only we cavaliers know by heart: ‘All right sir.’ We do not wait to be challenged by another cavalier for the real test is a challenge to ourselves, both at the start and at the end of the day. We say, ‘All right, sir’ when no one is looking,” Lacson said.
The cadet salutation “All right, sir” is the PMA’s code of truthfulness, and that one does not lie, cheat or steal.
During a Senate inquiry in 2010, Lacson used the salutation with then Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes who was embroiled in a scandal allegedly involving money taken from “jueteng” or an illegal numbers game.
When Lacson said, “All right, sir?” Reyes turned evasive and refused to answer directly and said instead “I am still under oath, your honor.” Reyes committed suicide in 2011.