Brand-new PMA ‘sup’ retires in 10 months

In November last year, I wrote an article titled “Brand-new PMA ‘sup’ retires in five months.” Last Thursday, Lt. Gen. Irineo Espino relinquished his post as Philippine Military Academy superintendent after barely five months on the job.

Guess what? Espino was replaced by Vice Admiral Edgar L. Abogado who retires from the service in 10 months—Feb. 16, 2014, to be exact. Maybe after Abogado, the next sup will have 15 months at his post.

From the way things are going in the Armed Forces, we may have degenerated into a “short-time” organization pretending to be a professional military force. Perhaps this is a byproduct of the revolving door policy at the top, which appears to have institutionalized a “short-term” tenure for AFP chiefs of staff.

In the three years of the present administration, we have had four AFP chiefs. The first was Gen. Ricardo David, who served for eight months. The second was Gen. Eduardo Oban, who stayed for 10 months. Then we had Gen. Jessie Dellosa, who was at his post for 13 months. The current AFP chief is Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, who retires in the middle of next year.

Actually this situation is nothing new. The previous administration of President Gloria Arroyo saw the appointment of 11 AFP chiefs in her 10-year tenure as commander in chief. We were hoping that things would change under President Aquino. A bill submitted by Congress giving the AFP chief of staff and major service commanders fixed terms was vetoed for reasons known only to the President and his advisers. The fear of a strong AFP chief seems to be one possible concern.

Just for background purposes, let me mention a few items about the new PMA superintendent. A PMA graduate Class of 1980, Abogado is an accomplished skipper and has held positions of major responsibility in the Philippine Navy (PN), such as chief of Naval Staff and PN vice commander. Prior to the PMA, he was appointed on Jan. 14, 2013, commander of Central Command. Four days later, he was promoted to vice admiral (three stars). Barely three months in his new job, he was pulled out to head the PMA.

As mentioned earlier, Abogado is scheduled to retire in February next year, giving him 10 months at the academy. The newest batch at the PMA, Class 2017, was received on April 1 by his predecessor Lieutenant General Espino. Abogado will retire from the service without even seeing a class graduate from the academy during his watch.

There is something wrong with the system, and I am particularly concerned about the effects of a revolving door policy on the products of the military academy. We pride ourselves in what many refer to as the premier military institution in the country. For a while, it was even known as “Asia’s Finest,” with neighboring countries sending their cadets to train at the PMA. Part of the problem we face—and I stress that this is only one issue, but it is an issue that can be addressed with decisiveness and commitment—is the frequent turnover of leadership at the academy.

As I mentioned in an earlier column in 2008, Congress passed Republic Act No. 9500, an “act to strengthen the University of the Philippines as the National University.” The wording is important. UP is considered not just any university, but the National University. In like manner, the PMA is not just any military training facility, but is the nation’s primary source of leadership for the Armed Forces. It costs Filipino taxpayers over P2 million to put one cadet through four years in the military academy. If only for this reason, it is important that the PMA be elevated to the same level as UP.

The UP president is elected for a term of six years. Ateneo, La Salle, University of Santo Tomas and other similar educational institutions in the land also have a term of office for their presidents. I believe this is also true in the US Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy in Colorado. Their stakeholders are aware of the importance of ensuring stability and consistency in the implementation of policies and programs of the organization. Having a superintendent for five months, 10 months, or even a year makes no management sense. I repeat once again, the lowly barangay chief has a term of office of three years. Sad to say, the PMA post appears to be a way station in the “short-time” shuffle among AFP senior officers vying for additional stars. In the process, the institution suffers.

A few years ago, there was a directive from the defense secretary, which read: “Tour of duty of the Superintendent—in accordance with AFP Regulations G-134-011, the PMA Superintendent shall have a tour of duty of three years, unless otherwise earlier terminated by the President. In order to provide stability and continuity of policies and programs in the PMA, no officer shall be designated to the position of PMA Superintendent unless he is willing and able to substantially complete the tour of duty of three years.” Unfortunately like many things in our lives, good ideas are sometimes coterminus with the tenure of their proponents.

Another PMA concern: Since last year, the height requirement for PMA cadets was lowered from 5’4” to 5’. On the other hand, the height requirement for Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) cadets remains at 5’4.” Why the disparity? Does this mean that policemen, firefighters and jail management personnel should be taller than AFP officers?

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Last Saturday, a member of PMA Class 1956 marked an important milestone as he celebrated 80 years of good life, surrounded by family and friends from here and abroad.

Brig. Gen. Thomas Manlongat, Philippine Constabulary, was the first of four brothers to enter the PMA. Tom graduated in 1956 and was followed by William who, after a short stay at the PMA, proceeded to the US military Academy at West Point, where he finished with the Class of 1960. Brig. Gen. Roberto Manlongat, PMA Class 1963, joined the Philippine Army after graduation. Commodore Justo Manlongat, the youngest of the brothers, is a member of Class 1969. An older brother, Pio Jr., enlisted in the US Navy as a young boy and is now retired. Tom has two sisters, Amparo, the eldest in the family, and Josefina. Tom is married to Dr. Lourdes Bueno Manlongat, UP College of Medicine, Class of 1958. Both are from Baguio City.

Tom’s secret to long life: “In a full heart, there is room for everything. In an empty heart, there is room for nothing.” His parting words to his guests: “See you all on my 85th birthday.”