PMA reviewing its Honor Code

From the Sun Star-Baguio (Oct 9): PMA reviewing its Honor Code

THE Honor System of the Philippine Military Academy will be more transparent and responsive.

Col. Monico Batle, officer-in-charge of the Honor Committee, assured there will be a significant change in the military academy highlighting the Honor System will no longer be too exclusive.

This as he stressed PMA is a government entity therefore proceedings must be made known to the public, particularly concerned stakeholders including the families of the cadets, for them to understand their commitments in the academy.

With the information dissemination about the Honor Code and Honor System, Batle said it is open for scrutiny.

Moreover, Batle stressed the Honor System of PMA has always been "dynamic".

"Actually open siya lagi for revision and recommendation," he said but stressed changes and suggestions will still be validated.

PMA is currently reviewing and looking into revisions of the Honor System.

The revisions are done through the inputs of cadets which is an authority granted to them.

However, while the Honor System is in place for them, Batle emphasized it is not only about them.

He highlighted revisions will still be holistic considering the physical, academic, character and military development of the cadets.

Batle shared they are also comparing the existing Honor Code and System of PMA to that of the other countries' like the United States Military Academy to get possible ideas of the military procedures being undertaken which may be adopted.

Currently, the review and revisions are being done simultaneous with presentations, workshops, seminars and forums with different stakeholders such as the professors and other personnel in the military academy, the academe, PMA alumni and will also include parents of cadets for the cadets to be guided in the drafting.

"By next month, isasama na namin yung collaborative report, kukunin namin yung mga inputs nila to validate kung anong comment nila dun sa ginawa ng mga kadete," Batle said.

Moreover, Batle noted they are also looking into institutionalizing the revised Honor System to the whole of Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Defense Planning Guidance.

The PMA's Honor Code and Honor System could be models given it is the military school of AFP.

"Supposed to be lahat ng military honorable," he stressed.

It could be a big challenge to the military if implemented as it will be hard not to lie and cheat, but it is possible, Batle closed.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2014/10/09/pma-reviewing-its-honor-code-370187