BBM leads conferment of awards at PMA alumni homecoming

President Marcos attended yesterday the Philippine Military Academy (PMA)’s alumni homecoming, his first as the country’s commander-in-chief.

The President led the conferment of awards to the Lifetime Achievement Awardees, Cavalier Awardees, Cavalier Pandemic Heroes Awardees and the 2023 PMA Jubilarians in a ceremony at the PMA Grandstand at Fort General Gregorio del Pilar, Baguio City.

Seven members of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet received the Cavalier Pandemic Heroes Award for their exemplary performance during the COVID-19 crisis.

They were former environment secretary Roy Cimatu (Class ’70), former information and communication technology secretary Gregorio Honasan (Class ’71), former defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Class ’73), former contact tracing czar Benjamin Magalong (Class ’82), former interior secretary Eduardo Año (Class ’83), former vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. (Class ’85) and former social welfare secretary Joselito Bautista (Class ’85).

“I am aware that some of you have continued your service in the private sector, while others have remained in government. And I hope in whatever capacity you serve, you continue to lead a life of service beyond self – an ethos we can attribute to a premier institution such as the Philippine Military Academy,” Marcos said in his speech.

Marcos appointed Galvez as secretary of the Department of National Defense, while Año was designated as national security adviser.

He has named Lorenzana as chairman of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Marcos also officiated the oathtaking of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. Board of Directors and new officers.

Marcos is an adopted member of PMA Class of 1979.

At the same event, Marcos witnessed the conferment of lifetime achievement awards on three cavaliers “in recognition of their more than 50 years of dedicated, exemplary and unblemished service to the country” and “characterized by their faithful adherence to the virtues of courage, loyalty and integrity.”

Marcos expressed hope the awardees’ exemplary work be emulated and ignite a desire for service among young cadets.