Marcos tells PMA graduates their loyalty belongs to Constitution, not politics

BAGUIO, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday, May 16, reminded the 207 graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Talang Dangal Class of 2026 that their loyalty must remain with the Constitution and the Filipino people, and warned against threats ranging from cyberwarfare and disinformation to territorial aggression and institutional distrust.

Speaking during the commencement exercises at Borromeo Field inside Fort Del Pilar, Marcos said the role of modern military officers now extends beyond conventional combat.

“The threats confronting our nation today are no longer confined to conventional battlefields,” the President said.

“They now emerge in cyberspace, in disinformation, in territorial aggression, in calamities worsened by climate change, and in forces that seek to weaken trust in our institutions and divide our people.”

Marcos led the graduation rites of the 207-member PMA Talang Dangal Class of 2026, composed of 142 male and 65 female cadets.

SALUTE. Members of the PMA Talang Dangal Class of 2026 perform their last silent drill at Fort Del Pilar ahead of graduation rites on May 16, 2026. Photo from the Philippine Military Academy

Addressing the graduates directly, the President delivered one of the strongest lines of the ceremony as he emphasized that military service must never be tied to personalities or partisan interests.

“As you take your oath today, remember that your loyalty is not to any political interest, not to any individual, nor any passing ideology,” Marcos said. “Your loyalty must always remain with the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.”

The President also urged the graduates to uphold the PMA’s Honor Code throughout their military careers.

“Never lie. Never cheat, never steal, and never tolerate those who do,” he said.

“Because silence in the face of wrongdoing is a betrayal of your values, a betrayal of your country, and a betrayal of the very principles that you have sworn to defend.”

Marcos described the class name Talang Dangal, short for Tagapagtanggol ng Lahing Dakila at Marangal, as a reflection of the kind of leadership expected from the graduating cadets.

“It is a name that reflects a new corps of leaders who must prove that courage, integrity, and loyalty are not mere aspirations, but a nonnegotiable standard,” he said.

The President likewise highlighted the PMA’s ongoing modernization efforts as the Armed Forces of the Philippines shifts its focus toward territorial defense and emerging security threats.

While the graduating class still belonged to the old Bachelor of Science in Management and Security Studies curriculum, Marcos noted that the cadets had already been exposed to new disciplines, including data science, Python programming foundations, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and unmanned systems.

“Your sharp minds, fresh perspectives, and capability not only respond to present risks, but to anticipate future threats before they even fully emerge,” he said.

He added that the full curriculum reforms being implemented by the PMA are expected to benefit future classes beginning with the PMA Class of 2029.

The President also acknowledged the sacrifices endured by cadets during their years inside the Academy, including exhaustion, doubt, missed family milestones, and the emotional burdens of military life.

“These are the values forged within you through difficult times,” he said. “Through moments of exhaustion, times of doubt, missed celebrations with family, silent struggles that only you and your comrades truly understand.”

Marcos ended his speech by formally sharing with the graduates the responsibility of national service.

“Today, I share with you the noble duty of protecting the Filipino people,” he said. “Let us continue marching towards a more secure, peaceful, and stronger Bagong Pilipinas.” – Rappler.com