Cudia leaves PMA hours after graduation rites

From InterAksyon (Mar 17): Cudia leaves PMA hours after graduation rites

Dismissed Cadet First Class Aldrin Jeff Cudia left the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City Sunday night several hours after the graduation of the “Siklab Diwa” Class of 2014.

“We released him to his parents, his sister and a lawyer from the Public Attorney’s Office,” Major Lynette Flores, head of the PMA’s Public Affairs Office, said in a phone interview Monday.

According to Flores, Cudia had the option to leave the PMA premises since February 10, the day his indefinite leave became effective after he was dismissed from the Cadet Corps by the Honor Code Committee for lying about why he was two minutes late for class.

"Kaso siya ang nag-decide na huwag umalis ng PMA [But he was the once who decided not to leave the PMA]…He decided to stay kaya [that's why] he has to file a request for him to stay," said Flores.

Flores said Cudia's stay at the academy, even in the barracks, was unauthorized because he was on indefinite leave. "Pero technically kahit nga sa barracks unauthorized ‘yong stay niya kasi naka-indefinite leave siya."

The PMA had decided to dismiss Cudia.  He appealed his case to President Benigno Aquino III and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.

Bautista ordered the PMA superintendent to review Cudia's case and the result was a reiteration of the earlier decision to dismiss the cadet from the service.

Bautista approved the second decision and referred this to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin for submission to the Office of the President.

Last Saturday night, Cudia and his parents met with Aquino and Gazmin. The President listened as the Cudias presented their case.

After the meeting, Gazmin said Aquino had ordered Bautista to review once more Cudia’s appeal.

Bautista asked for ample time to review Cudia's case. He said he would submit his final recommendation to Aquino.

But as far as the PMA is concerned, Flores said Cudia’s case is already closed unless the AFP chief would decide otherwise. “Ito’y depende na po sa magiging desisyon ng AFP chief [This depends on what the decision of the AFP chief will be]."

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/82887/cudia-leaves-pma-hours-after-graduation-rites