Cudia no longer interested in joining the military —father

The parents of dismissed Philippine Military Academy cadet Jeff Aldrin Cudia are no longer interested in seeing their son enter the armed forces even though he spent four years in the country's premier military school.

Renato Cudia, the cadet's father, told reporters in a press conference Monday that he only wants his son to obtain his diploma from the PMA so he can continue his studies elsewhere or apply for a job.

“Hindi na po kami nangangarap na siya ay pumasok pa sa military. Ang gusto na lang po namin ay makuha niya ang diploma niya mula sa PMA para po siya ay makapag-aral muli,” he said.

The Cudia family faced the media at the Public Attorney's Office in Quezon City to air their discontent about the supposed lack of progress in the resolution of the cadet's case. Aldrin was present at the press briefing but did not give a statement.

Renato said his son has been in limbo since he was dismissed from the PMA because his school records only stated he was on an indefinite leave from the academy.

“Papaano naman po magagawa ni Cadet Cudia na nakapag-move on kung pati ho makapag-enroll ay nahihirapan siya? Walang honorable dismissal na naganap at [hindi rin siya binigyan] ng diploma kahit natapos niya lahat ng kanyang academic requirements," he said.

Cudia's transcript of record from the PMA, copies of which were distributed to members of the media, bore the remark "Granted indefinite leave of absence effective 10 February 2014, pursuant to para 04 Special Orders Number 27, HPMA dated 12 February 2014."

HPMA refers to the PMA's Headquarters in Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City.

Cudia was dismissed from the PMA  last February after the PMA Honor Committee found him guilty of lying about his reason for being late for a class, a violation of the academy's Honor Code.

His family, however, claimed there were alleged irregularities in how the committee voted on his case, and asked President Benigno Aquino III to overturn the decision.

Cudia did not march with the Siklab Diwa batch during the PMA's graduation rites earlier this month since his appeal was still pending before the AFP and the PMA.

Aside from pursuing his studies in another school, the elder Cudia said his son is also mulling on looking for work.

But even though Cudia can apply for jobs even without his diploma, his father said it is still important for his son to obtain his records from the academy so his options will not be limited.

"Mas madali sana siyang makakapag-aral o makakapagtrabaho kung maibibigay lang sa kanya ng PMA yung diploma niya," he said.

PAO chief Persida Acosta said several employers, including the owner of Toyota's dealership in Alabang, have expressed their interest in hiring Cudia as an employee.

"Maraming nagsasabi sa akin na sila na lang daw ang mag-aampon sa kanya. Ang sa akin naman, ang dapat sanang unang umampon sa kanya ay ang pamahalaan dahil isa siya sa mga nangarap na maging bahagi ng hukbong sandatahan," she said. —KBK, GMA News