FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – Integrity is not proven in combat alone – it is tested most in positions of power and influence, especially if no one is watching.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this Saturday in his speech at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming here, with the theme “Fostering Unity and Excellence: Strengthening Bonds and Advancing Traditions.”
“If the test of courage and loyalty transpires during times of danger, integrity is tested in positions of power and influence, especially when no one is looking,” said Lacson, who has placed a premium on integrity in his decades in public service.
“Courage and loyalty – two out of three values that stand equally in the hearts of every Cavalier. Yet if I may speak candidly, between you and me, I have always held the third one closest to my heart and above the rest. And that is INTEGRITY,” he added, recalling how he learned this value as a child, even before entering the PMA.
In Filipino: Lacson: Integridad, Nasusubok sa Pwesto ng Kapangyarihan at Impluwensya
Lacson, one of 109 First Class cadets to graduate from the Academy in February 1971 out of 5,457 applicants, built a no-nonsense record in public service—rising through the Philippine Constabulary, leading the Philippine National Police (PNP) as Chief, and serving as Senator including chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, where he exemplified integrity and practiced leadership by example.
In his speech, Lacson made it clear the “trinity” core values of the PMA must remain constant even though times change and institutions evolve, as he cited the “great divide of time and technology” between the Matatag Class of 1971 of which he is a part, and the present corps of cadets.
“Despite the decades that separate us, there is an unbreakable bond that collapses these years. There is a shared experience that bridges each and every class that keeps extending the long gray line, year after year. It is the trinity of our being: Courage, Integrity, Loyalty – the three words that have never faded with the passage of time,” he said.
For his part, PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia said in his opening remarks at the event that Lacson’s presence at the homecoming is not only an honor to the event but a powerful reminder to cadets.
“Sir, your journey from these very grounds as a young cadet to a life of distinguished service in law enforcement and in the Senate embodies the enduring values of duty honor and loyalty. Your presence today is not only an honor to this homecoming but a powerful reminder to cadets that the lessons learned within these halls can shape a lifetime of principled leadership in service of the nation. We are deeply grateful for your time leadership and continued commitment to our nation,” he said.
At the event, Lacson also administered the oath-taking of the incoming PMA Alumni Association Inc. Board of Trustees.
Integrity
Lacson shared his most personal lesson on integrity – a childhood memory when he as a Grade 2 pupil and his elder brother Ely as a Grade 4 pupil found a one-centavo coin while on their way home from school. Their mother Maxima, instead of praising them, sternly told them to find the owner and return it.
“Siguradong hindi makakatulog ngayong gabi kung sino man ang may-ari ng pera na iyan. Kaya, bukas na bukas din, pagpasok ninyo sa iskwela ay ipagtanong at hanapin ninyong pilit ang nagmamay-ari niyan at isauli sa kanya dahil hindi sa inyo ang pera na yan (I am sure the owner who lost the coin could not sleep tonight. Tomorrow, when you go to school, find the owner and return the coin because it is not yours),” he recalled her admonishing them.
“The lesson behind this short story is this – Integrity may not necessarily be taught and learned in the Academy or any like-minded institution. The strongest foundation of integrity is best initiated at home, and even better – by the power of genuine example displayed by our parents,” he added.
Lacson also quoted Cavalier Jose Crisol, the former Deputy Minister of Defense for Home Defense – who warned that without integrity, “a cadet or any man for that matter will be wretch, a scum of the lowest stratum of society, an abominable creature who is a living dead.”
He cited the leadership of former Philippine Constabulary chief, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff and Defense Secretary Renato de Villa and his deputy chief, PC Brig. Gen. Fidel Singson (PMA Class 1957), whose integrity as shown in “strong conviction and steady leadership,” commanded respect.
While serving in the PC/Integrated National police (PC-INP) Anti-Carnapping Task Force, Lacson said he witnessed firsthand how officers practiced integrity – “not out of fear, but out of self-pride and dignity driven by a profound, earned respect for these two officers and gentlemen.”
“Throughout their journeys — from the halls of PMA to the summits of their military careers, their names have been highly regarded. Such reputation is earned by their professional and personal integrity, they who consistently upheld the highest ethical standards and unrelenting respect for the rule of law,” he said.
Courage
Lacson said courage is the first value a cadet must live by. “Before a soldier can lead others, he/she must first learn to face fear—and choose duty over it,” he said.
He cited the heroism of Capt. Conrado D. Yap (PMA Class 1943), one of the 1,367 Filipino troops composing the 10th Battalion Combat Team of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces sent to Korea as part of the United Nations Command forces, and who “chose duty over survival.”
While leading a counterattack at the Battle of Yultong in North Korea on April 23, 1951, he was killed in action while he held his ground to rescue fallen comrades against overwhelming enemy forces. Such gallantry made him the most decorated Filipino soldier of the Korean War, having been recognized by our own country, South Korea, and the United States, Lacson said.
Beyond the battlefield, he recalled how his mistah, Retired Navy Capt. Archilles A. Almario, who while on holiday break charged into a burning building in Arlegui, Quiapo, to rescue eight children from the fire in January 1970. He thus became the first cadet in history to receive the Bronze Cross Medal.
“His merit serves as a profound reminder: he did not wait for a commission or a rank to become a hero. He already embodied the Academy’s breed of courage—one that requires no command when in the service of others,” Lacson said.
Lacson also honored then First Class Cadet Alfonso Aviles, the pride of Pudang Kalis Class of 2013, who risked his life in August 2012 when he was shot while trying to disarm an armed robber inside a passenger jeepney in Quezon City. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Cross Medal and “is remembered with deep respect as the ‘best Marine we never had.’”
Loyalty
Lacson described loyalty as an invisible chain that prompts one to stay or even go back to the line of fire to save others. “If courage pushes us to move forward, loyalty is an invisible chain that teaches us why we stay or even go back from safety to the line of fire to save a fellow soldier or others we do not even know from Adam,” he said.
He cited Lt. Col. Angel Benitez (Bigkis Lahi Class of 1990), an Army officer who dreamt of becoming AFP Chief of Staff, when the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) attacked soldiers and civilians in August 2008.
Though Benitez and his team fought their way to safety, they returned to save the civilians under attack. His final words to his superiors were: “Sir, na-corner na kami,” before a deafening silence.
Lacson also cited the story of Capt. Rommel Sandoval (Siklab Laya Class of 2005), the leader of the 11th Scout Ranger Company, who made the supreme sacrifice during the Marawi City siege in 2017.
While they were clearing a five-storey commercial complex, one of the soldiers, Cpl. Jayson Mante, was pinned down under enemy fire. Sandoval and Pfc. Sherwin Canapi, crawled over to Mante and tried to pull him up to safety. Sandoval’s body was recovered “with bullets lodged in his chest meant for Corporal Mante,” proving that he lived by the words he would often tell his men: “Walang Iwanan,” Lacson narrated.
“Up to their final breaths, Lt. Col. Benitez and Capt. Sandoval understood loyalty as the Academy teaches it — standing their ground with their men as well as fellow Filipinos they swore to serve and protect, faithful to the mission, and true to the nation they swore to defend, even in the face of death,” he said.
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Lacson: Integridad, Nasusubok sa Pwesto ng Kapangyarihan at Impluwensya
FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City — Ang integridad ay hindi lamang napapatunayan sa labanan — higit itong nasusubok sa mga pwesto ng kapangyarihan at impluwensiya, lalo na kung walang nakatingin.
Binigyang-diin ito ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Sabado sa kanyang talumpati sa Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming dito, na may temang: “Fostering Unity and Excellence: Strengthening Bonds and Advancing Traditions.”
“If the test of courage and loyalty transpires during times of danger, integrity is tested in positions of power and influence, especially when no one is looking,” ani Lacson, na matagal nang nagbibigay-halaga sa integridad sa kanyang mga dekada sa serbisyo publiko.
“Courage and loyalty – two out of three values that stand equally in the hearts of every Cavalier. Yet if I may speak candidly, between you and me, I have always held the third one closest to my heart and above the rest. And that is INTEGRITY,” dagdag niya habang inaalala kung paano niya natutunan ang pagpapahalagang ito noong siya ay bata pa, bago pa man pumasok sa PMA.
Si Lacson, isa sa 109 First Class cadets na nagtapos sa Akademya noong Pebrero 1971 mula sa 5,457 na aplikante, ay nagtamo ng reputasyon sa pampublikong serbisyo bilang walang paliguy-ligoy—mula sa pag-akyat sa ranggo ng Philippine Constabulary, pagiging Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, hanggang sa pagiging Senador kabilang ang paging chairman ng Blue Ribbon Committee, kung saan kanyang pinakita ang integridad at leadership by example.
Sa kanyang talumpati, nilinaw ni Lacson na ang “trinity” na core values ng PMA ay dapat manatiling matatag kahit nagbabago ang panahon at umuunlad ang mga institusyon. Binanggit niya ang “great divide of time and technology” sa pagitan ng Matatag Class of 1971 na kanyang kinabibilangan at ng kasalukuyang corps of cadets.
“Despite the decades that separate us, there is an unbreakable bond that collapses these years. There is a shared experience that bridges each and every class that keeps extending the long gray line, year after year. It is the trinity of our being: Courage, Integrity, Loyalty – the three words that have never faded with the passage of time,” aniya.
Samantala, sa kanyang opening remarks sa okasyon, sinabi ni PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia na ang presensya ni Lacson sa homecoming ay hindi lamang karangalan kundi makapangyarihang paalala sa mga kadete.
“Sir, your journey from these very grounds as a young cadet to a life of distinguished service in law enforcement and in the Senate embodies the enduring values of duty honor and loyalty. Your presence today is not only an honor to this homecoming but a powerful reminder to cadets that the lessons learned within these halls can shape a lifetime of principled leadership in service of the nation. We are deeply grateful for your time leadership and continued commitment to our nation,” he said.
Pinangunahan din ni Lacson ang panunumpa sa tungkulin ng mga bagong halal na miyembro ng Board of Trustees ng PMA Alumni Association Inc.
‘Integrity’
Ibinahagi ni Lacson ang kanyang pinakapersonal na aral tungkol sa integridad — isang alaala noong siya ay nasa Grade 2 at ang kanyang nakatatandang kapatid na si Ely ay nasa Grade 4, nang makapulot sila ng isang sentimo habang pauwi mula sa paaralan. Sa halip na purihin sila, mahigpit silang inutusan ng kanilang inang si Maxima na hanapin at isauli ang may-ari nito.
“Siguradong hindi makakatulog ngayong gabi kung sino man ang may-ari ng pera na iyan. Kaya, bukas na bukas din, pagpasok ninyo sa iskwela ay ipagtanong at hanapin ninyong pilit ang nagmamay-ari niyan at isauli sa kanya dahil hindi sa inyo ang pera na yan,” aniya habang inaalala ang bilin ng kanyang ina.
“The lesson behind this short story is this – Integrity may not necessarily be taught and learned in the Academy or any like-minded institution. The strongest foundation of integrity is best initiated at home, and even better – by the power of genuine example displayed by our parents,” dagdag niya.
Ani Lacson, na sinipi si Cavalier Jose Crisol, dating Deputy Minister of Defense for Home Defense, kung walang integridad, “a cadet or any man for that matter will be wretch, a scum of the lowest stratum of society, an abominable creature who is a living dead.”
Binanggit din niya ang pamumuno nina dating Philippine Constabulary chief, AFP Chief of Staff at Defense Secretary Renato de Villa at kanyang deputy chief na si PC Brig. Gen. Fidel Singson (PMA Class 1957), na ang integridad na ipinakita sa pamamagitan ng “strong conviction and steady leadership” ay nagkamit ng mataas na paggalang.
Habang naglilingkod sa PC-INP Anti-Carnapping Task Force (ACT FORCE), sinabi ni Lacson na nasaksihan niya kung paano isinabuhay ng mga opisyal ang integridad — “not out of fear, but out of self-pride and dignity driven by a profound, earned respect for these two officers and gentlemen.”
“Throughout their journeys — from the halls of the PMA to the summits of their military careers, their names have been highly regarded. Such reputation is earned by their professional and personal integrity, they who consistently upheld the highest ethical standards and unrelenting respect for the rule of law,” aniya.
‘Courage’
Ayon kay Lacson, ang tapang ang unang pagpapahalagang dapat isabuhay ng isang kadete. “Before a soldier can lead others, he/she must first learn to face fear—and choose duty over it,” aniya.
Tinukoy niya ang kabayanihan ni Capt. Conrado D. Yap (PMA Class 1943), na kabilang sa Philippine Expeditionary Forces na ipinadala sa Korea at “chose duty over survival.” Napatay siya sa aksyon habang pinamumunuan ang isang counterattack sa Battle of Yultong noong Abril 23, 1951. Dahil dito, kinilala siya bilang pinaka-dekoradong sundalong Pilipino sa Korean War.
Bukod sa larangan ng digmaan, inalala rin ni Lacson ang kanyang mistah na si Retired Navy Capt. Archilles A. Almario, na habang naka-holiday break ay sumugod sa isang nasusunog na gusali sa Arlegui, Quiapo noong Enero 1970 upang sagipin ang walong bata. Siya ang naging kauna-unahang kadete na ginawaran ng Bronze Cross Medal.
“His merit serves as a profound reminder: he did not wait for a commission or a rank to become a hero. He already embodied the Academy’s breed of courage—one that requires no command when in the service of others,” ani Lacson.
Pinarangalan din niya si noo’y First Class Cadet Alfonso Aviles ng Pudang Kalis Class of 2013, na nasugatan habang tinatangkang disarmahan ang isang armadong holdaper sa loob ng jeepney sa Quezon City noong Agosto 2012. Siya ay ginawaran ng Bronze Cross Medal at naaalala bilang “best Marine we never had.”
‘Loyalty’
Inilarawan ni Lacson ang katapatan bilang isang di-nakikitang tanikala na nagtutulak sa isang tao na manatili o bumalik sa linya ng putukan upang iligtas ang iba. “If courage pushes us to move forward, loyalty is an invisible chain that teaches us why we stay or even go back from safety to the line of fire to save a fellow soldier or others we do not even know from Adam,” aniya.
Binanggit niya si Lt. Col. Angel Benitez (Bigkis Lahi Class of 1990), na bumalik kasama ang kanyang grupo upang iligtas ang mga sibilyan sa gitna ng pag-atake noong 2008. Ang huli niyang mga salita: “Sir, na-corner na kami,” bago ang katahimikan.
Ikinuwento rin niya ang sakripisyo ni Capt. Rommel Sandoval (Siklab Laya Class of 2005) noong 2017 Marawi siege. Habang nililinis ang isang limang-palapag na gusali, naipit sa putukan si Cpl. Jayson Mante. Gumapang sina Sandoval at Pfc. Sherwin Canapi upang sagipin siya. Na-recover ang labi ni Sandoval na may mga bala sa dibdib na nakalaan sana para kay Mante, patunay na isinabuhay niya ang kanyang madalas sabihin: “Walang Iwanan.”
“Up to their final breaths, Lt. Col. Benitez and Capt. Sandoval understood loyalty as the Academy teaches it — standing their ground with their men as well as fellow Filipinos they swore to serve and protect, faithful to the mission, and true to the nation they swore to defend, even in the face of death,” ani Lacson.
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