PMA defends order to dismiss Cudia

Aldrin Jeff Cudia FROM FACEBOOK PAGE OF AVEE CUDIA

MANILA, Philippines – It was not about being late, but about breaking the academy’s honor code.

The Philippine Military Academy on Thursday stressed this point in the wake of criticisms over the case of Cadet Jeff Aldrin Cudia who is facing dismissal from the premier military school for allegedly breaking the academy’s honor code.

“Cadet [Jeff Aldrin] Cudia’s case is not an issue about being late in class. While it started as a violation of the regulations, which is coming to class late, the findings of the preliminary investigation conducted revealed a possibility of Cadet Cudia violating the Honor Code which led to the opening of formal investigation by the Honor Committee,” Major Agnes Lynette Flores, PMA spokesperson, said in a statement on Thursday.

Cudia was dismissed from service after he went to class two minutes late and supposedly lied to the professor why he was late.

Lying is a grave offense in the academy. Their code is that “one must not lie, cheat and steal nor tolerate among them those who do.”

Cudia’s relatives posted his plight on Facebook, which called the attention of netizens and the media. The Facebook narrative by his sister, Avee, was taken down on Wednesday. Cudia is supposed to graduate salutatorian next month.

In the past, there were also cases of cadets at the PMA being dismissed in service but this was one of those rare incidents that hit Facebook.

Speculations in military circles say that Cudia lied about the reason as to why he was late to avoid punishments and demerits that will lower his cadet ranking.

“While the Academy recognizes his academic performance, this does not exempt him from strict observance of the Code,” Flores said.

The PMA assured that Cudia was given due process. On Wednesday, General Emmanuel Bautista, Armed Forces chief, ordered a re-investigation of the case. Cudia was placed on indefinite leave.

“The case folder bearing the recommendation of the PMA Superintendent for his separation from military service has been duly endorsed to higher headquarters in the Armed Forces of the Philippines for appropriate action. In line with this, the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines has given a guidance to conduct a re-investigation of the case. As to the status of Cadet Cudia in the Academy, he was already placed on an indefinite leave while awaiting the final disposition of his case,” Flores said.

The Honor System is strictly observed in the academy by the Honor Committee composed of cadets. There are 25 members — one representative from each batch in each of the eight companies. When a cadet is found guilty, he leaves honorably or stay in service and be ostracized.

“We are deeply saddened in seeing such great talent go. But the PMA, and the Cadet Corps, in particular cannot be selective in its application of the Code regardless of a cadet’s academic performance and even personal circumstances,” Flores said.

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