PMA: Keeping out politics but adopting politicians

by Vincent Cabreza, Desiree Caluza (Inquirer Northern Luzon)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100220-254257/PMA-Keeping-out-politics-but-adopting-politicians

FORT DEL PILAR, BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—The Philippine Military Academy has been trying to keep politics out of its annual alumni homecoming, which ends today with a parade that features PMA class colors.

But what could be more political than a class parade that includes candidates aspiring to hold top positions in government?

Almost every alumni class has been adopting a celebrity politician since martial law, a practice that has been attacked and defended by leaders of the PMA Alumni Association Inc., said former academy superintendent Brig. Gen. Leopoldo Maligalig.

It began during martial law

“This is largely unspoken but (adopting alumni who are politically influential) is really about power,” said Maligalig, himself a former president of PMA “Magilas” Class of 1976. He said the practice began during martial law in the 1970s, when some military officers realized they needed political backing to bolster their careers in government service.

He said he decided to stay away from this year’s homecoming because he did not want to witness a “political circus.”

PMA officials on Friday admitted they still did not know which presidential candidate would join the homecoming parade at the Borromeo Field here but did not discount their appearance.

Administration standard-bearer, Gilbert Teodoro Jr., is an adopted member of PMA “Magilas” Class of 1976, while Nacionalista Party standard-bearer, Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., was adopted by PMA “Masikap” Class of 1977.

Liberal Party standard-bearer, Benigno Aquino III, is not expected to join this morning’s parade with members of PMA “Mapitagan” Class of 1980, having declined the invitation.

The adopted pols

Instead, the class adopted Aquino’s sisters, Ma. Elena “Ballsy” Cruz and Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Abellada, who would join the parade.

President Macapagal-Arroyo was adopted by PMA “Makatarungan” Class of 1978, while her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, was adopted by PMA “Marangal” Class of 1974.

NP vice presidential candidate Sen. Loren Legarda, was adopted by PMA Class of 1969, while LP vice presidential candidate Sen. Manuel Roxas II was adopted by PMA “Maharlika” Class of 1984.

Maligalig said many PMA alumni classes had deep connections with their adopted members, but in some cases, the adoption simply reflected career officers’ desire to benefit from the new alliances.