Cudia won't graduate, but dismissal from PMA subject to new appeal

Published March 15, 2014 10:39pm

Dismissed Philippine Military Academy cadet Aldrin Cudia will not be graduating on Sunday along with Siklab Diwa Class of 2014, but his case will be subject to a new appeal, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said late Saturday.

Gazmin released the statement to reporters after he and President Benigno Aquino III met with Cudia's family.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF SND VOLTAIRE GAZMIN RE CADET CUDIA @gmanews pic.twitter.com/IQkgLoP4Ej
— ian cruz (@iancruz_gmanews) March 15, 2014

Gazmin made clear that although Cudia will not graduate with the rest of his class on Sunday, that is "without prejudice to whatever will be the result of their new appeal, which is now elevated to the [Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines] whom the President directed to investigate [the case]."

The PMA's Honor Committee found Cudia guilty of lying about his reason for being late for a class, a violation that led to his dismissal from the academy.

Cudia's family has alleged irregularities in how the committee voted on his case, however, and has asked President Aquino to overturn the decision. — JDS, GMA News

Tags: aldrincudia, philippinemilitaryacademy2014