FOR the second straight year, President Duterte will not physically attend the graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy due to the pandemic.
During the Laging Handa press briefing, PMA Supt. Ferdinand Cartujano said the President, the AFP’s commander-in-chief, will virtually grace the commencement exercises in Fort Del Pilar this Monday.
Duterte was also not able to physically attend the PMA ceremony last year due to COVID-19 and witnessed the rites via video teleconferencing.
Graduating this Monday are members of the 2021 PMA Class of Masaligan (Mandirigmang Samahan na Lakas at Sandigan ng Bayan).
“We know the President wants to go here at the PMA but because of the situation we are in right now, the President decided to attend virtually,” Cartujano said, adding: “He will address the graduating cadets via video teleconferencing.”
Cartujano said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will also virtually grace the graduation of the PMA’s Masaligan class, composed of 164 cadets led by class valedictorian Cadet 1st Class Janrey Cabanero Artus.
Cartujano said Armed Forces chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana will be there physically.
