MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte congratulated the newest graduates of Philippine Military Academy “SIKLAB-LAYA” Class of 2025 and urged them against being complicit in abuse and oppression.

In a video message, the vice president recognized the cadets’ patriotism in choosing to join the country’s defense force, saying they had “chosen the life of selfless service that only the brave, the courageous, and the real patriot would choose.

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Duterte said she hopes that the graduates will be instruments of truth and real change in the lives of Filipinos.

The second-in-command also advised the cadets not to be agents of greed, betrayal and oppression of those in power. 

“Huwag sana kayong maging kasangkapan ng pagmamalabis, pagtatraydor, at pagpapahirap ng mga nasa kapangyarihan sa mga kapwa Pilipino na katulad ninyo ay matapang na naninindigan para sa kabutihan, sa tama, sa katotohanan, at sa tagumpay ng mga Pilipino.”

(May you not be tools of abuse, betrayal, and oppression by those in power against fellow Filipinos)

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The vice president also expressed trust that the newest addition to the country’s armed forces will “continue to personify the virtues” that shaped their military education that will enable them to become “commendable cadets with courage, integrity, and loyalty” to their noble path of duty.

“Keep the fervor within you burning and continue building a bright future amid every hurdle and challenge in these times of uncertainty so you may stand as a beacon of hope and strength to our hopeful nation,” Duterte said.

She also advised the graduates to “strive to restore and uphold the values of an independent, non-partisan and professional institution  — one, whose sole duty is to defend the constitution”.

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“May you never yield to the greed for material gain, political pressure, or foreign influence,” the vice president stated. 

“May you always stand unbowed,” she added.

The graduating class has 266 cadets who will join the officers' corps of the armed forces.

Of the graduating cadets, 137 will join the Philippine Army, 71 will go to the Philippine Navy, and 54 to the Philippine Air Force.