AFP: Cadet found lying may get another chance to graduate

The Philippine Military Academy cadet who was found guilty of lying may yet get another chance to graduate as his out-processing has been put on hold while his case is under investigation.

Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs head Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said Thursday graduating Cadet Aldrin Jeff Cudia had resigned after he was found violating the Honor Code.

"In the case of Cadet Cudia, siya'y pumirma at siya'y to be separated kasi siya ay nag-true resignation," Zagala said in an interview on dzBB radio.

But he said that with AFP chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista ordering an investigation, Cudia's out-processing was suspended.

Lt. Col. Zagala: However, dahil dito sa pangyayari at nakita ng chief of staff natin, bibigyan siya (Cdt. Cudia) ng isa pang pagkakataon.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 19, 2014

Bautista ordered the probe in the wake of a Facebook post claiming Cudia was dismissed by the PMA's Honor Committee for lying.

Cudia's sister Avee said the guilty verdict could cost him his graduation from the country's premier military school.

Avee added her brother is set to graduate this year and was at the top of his Navy Class, a Deputy Baron and in the top two of the Class of 2014.

Earlier, Avee said her brother received 11 demerits and 13 hours of touring as a consequence of being late, but he appealed the sanctions as he said his tardiness was not his fault.

Cudia claimed their previous professor had dismissed them late, causing him to come late to his next class.

The PMA Honor Committee considered Cudia's statement a lie since he was not dismissed late but was made to wait after class to receive a document from his professor.

Also, Cudia's family questioned why the other cadets who were also late got only eight demerits and eight hours of touring.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP public affairs chief: Ang naging kaso po nitong Cdt. Cudia ay violation of the honor code.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 19, 2014

"The honorable thing to do is kung meron kang na-violate na honor code [ay] kusa kang aalis," Zagala added.  — LBG, GMA News