Son of 4Ps family in Zamboanga City is No. 3 in PMA Class of 2020

The family of the cadet who bagged the third highest honor among the members of the Philippine Military Academy's Class of 2020 is thankful for Jefferson Salazar's achievement.

According to Tina Panganiban-Perez's report on "24 Oras", Salazar's family based in Zamboanga City is enrolled in the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the cash doles system for the poor.

"Nagpapasalamat kami dahil siya'y nag-tagumpay," said Jefferson's father, Jose.

"Sana lagi siyang magpakabait. Kung ano siya noon, sana gano'n pa rin ngayon," he added.

Cadet First Class Gemalyn Sugui of Echague, Isabela topped the 196 graduates of the PMA's Masidlawin or the Mandirigmang Isinilang na may Dangal at Lakas Upang Maging Tanglaw ng Inang Bayan Class of 2020.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday addressed the graduating class online via Zoom.

Sugui was awarded with the Presidential Saber, the Achievement Award for Academic Excellence, the JUSMAG Award, the Philippine Army Saber, the Spanish Armed Forces Award, the Social Sciences Plaque, the Management Plaque, and the Rule of Law Award.

Getting second honors was Cadet First Class Jade Villanueva of Tacloban City.

The rest of the top ten were:

• Cadet First Class Jefferson Salazar from Zamboanga City
• Cadet First Class Rotes Gaile Jamandre from Lamut, Ifugao
• Cadet First Class Jeb Bay-an from La Trinindad, Benguet
• Cadet First Class Catabay Ladyong from Tabuk, Kalinga
• Cadet First Class Vanelyn Angel Tabao from Tuguegarao City
• Cadet First Class June Giel Anne Factor from Piddig, Ilocos Norte
• Cadet First Class Rubenson Abgao from Baroy, Lanao Del Norte
• Cadet First Class Dencel Aina Bayaca of Floridablanca, Pampanga

This year, the PMA leadership has decided not to open the graduation ceremony of the MASIDLAWIN Class of 2020 to the general public due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Families and loved ones of the graduates are also not allowed to attend the ceremony, the PMA said. -NB, GMA News