Marcos to PNPA grads: Take oath to heart

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April 30, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos on Tuesday reminded graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to honor their oath and always stand up for what is right.

In his speech during the graduation ceremony of the PNPA “Sinaglawin” Class of 2025 in Silang, Cavite, Marcos noted that there were some members of the police force who have “lost their way” and failed to uphold their responsibilities.

“However, I have full faith in the talent, dedication and ability of our national police to cleanse, strengthen and bolster professionalism within its ranks,” he said.

“Your acts make the system. You shape the system with your restraint, with your dignity and your service,” the President added.

He reminded the 206 graduates “to take to heart” their oath, duty to uphold and defend the Constitution and responsibility to the citizenry.

“My dear officers, this country will never ask you to be perfect, but it will ask you to be present. Be there. Let our people feel your presence. Feel the presence of their law enforcers. Feel the presence of the law,” the President said.

Members of Sinaglawin Class of 2025 will join the PNP.

As public servants, the President reminded the graduates: “The path ahead is not always easy. There will be times when ideals and reality will seem to pull you in different directions. There will be moments that will test your principles and your convictions. But whenever those days come and doubts creep in, remember who you are and why you chose this path.”

Ready to die for country

Lt. Marc Joseph Vitto, this year’s valedictorian, said he and his classmates are ready to lay down their lives to protect the country.

“To the Filipino people, you are the reason we are here. Although our lives may be on the line, we will never ever let you down,” he said in his valedictory speech.

“We will serve with dignity and dedication for a Bagong Pilipinas,” Vitto said, thanking President Marcos.

A native of Gloria town in Oriental Mindoro, Vitto reminded his 205 classmates to honor their parents’ sacrifices by staying on the righteous path as they begin their career in public service.

“Look at your parents’ faces, see their joy, let us protect those smiles by staying true to our oath and living lives that bring honor to our name and the academy,” he said.

Raised by a disciplinarian mother and a police officer father, Vitto struggled with school but later graduated valedictorian in elementary and high school.

Vitto is no stranger to struggles as he initially failed in his attempt to get a scholarship in a school in Manila.

He failed to enter the PNPA on his first try, but persevered and was eventually accepted into the academy.

Sara: Don’t betray fellow Filipino

In her message to the graduates, Vice President Sara Duterte cautioned them against “allowing corruption to stain their profession,” citing how the police “betrayed” her father, detained former president Rodrigo Duterte, by surrendering him to foreign authorities.

“In your might and readiness to genuinely serve, I hope that you will always choose what is right. Don’t let your profession be tainted with wrongdoings like the betrayal of a Filipino of his fellow Filipino. There is no forgiveness for the surrender and imprisonment abroad of a Filipino who served the country with honesty,” she said, clearly taking a swipe at President Marcos and the police officers who arrested her father. — Emmanuel Tupas, Neil Jayson Servallos