By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
“Be among those who ensure that every peso translates into capability, preparedness, and integrity.”
Honoring his commitment towards protecting the welfare of military and uniformed personnel (MUP), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-promoted generals and flag officers of the AFP, as well as a lone commissioned FPCTI graduate at Malacañang on Wednesday, January 7.
In the solemn event, 38 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers are joined by a Foreign Pre-Commissioned Training Institutions (FPCTI) graduate in pledging their allegiance to the Constitution and the country as they rise their ranks.
President Marcos Jr. reminded the newly-promoted officers of the heightened sense of responsibility associated with their roles as the protectors of the Southeast Asian nation from various internal and external threats.
“Your higher rank demands sharper judgment and steadier leadership, especially in an era of complex threats—rising political tensions and heightened security concerns for our country.
Leadership at this level is less about the number of operation[s] that you may have completed. It is also about the standards that you set—standards that set behavior, conduct, and decision-making across the entire Armed Forces.”
In his speech, the President moreover reaffirmed his unwavering support for the stewards of peace and order in the country by reiterating the increase in the base pay and subsistence allowance of MUPs through the signing of the 2026 national budget on Monday.
The Commander-in-Chief concluded his remarks by recognizing the support and sacrifices of the graduates’ families, who ensured that the newly-promoted officials would selflessly serve the country and continue to keep the AFP worthy of its merit.
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