PMA cadets fund intact
IN THE midst of controversy over cadet funds, the Philippine Military Academy clarified the budget remains intact.
On the heels of President Rodrigo Duterte’s sacking of Hector Maraña for purportedly malversing P15 million worth of cadet funds, PMA information chief Major Chamberlain Esmino clarified the officer is no longer assigned at PMA since December of 2012.
The President made the statement Tuesday, lashing out at Maraña's supposed "fraud against government," a conduct considered as "unbecoming an officer and a gentleman" and "prejudicial to the good
order and the military discipline."
“He is also not and never been a comptroller but the fund custodian of the cadets personal allowance then,” Esmino added.
Duterte then signed a document, recommending the imprisonment of Maraña for six to 12 years, a day after firing of around 20 high-ranking military officials over the supposedly P1.491-million ghost procurement at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center, also known as V. Luna Medical Center, in Quezon City.
The PMA, considered Asia’s premier military school accepts cadets who pass rigid PMA exams and physical training can avail of a free college education with a well-rounded curriculum as well as receive monthly salary and allowances. After graduating from the Academy, one is guaranteed of a job a progressive career as an officer in the Army, Navy or Air Force.
A budget of P2 million is allotted per PMA cadet which includes education, an assured job after graduation, and allowance for basic necessities.
“The cadets have enough funds for their training. As to the exact figure, I still need to look for the data,” Esmino said.