Vice President Sara Duterte urged the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) ‘SIKLAB LAYA’ 2025 graduates to be instruments of the truth, not of greed and betrayal.

May you always be instruments that would usher in goodness, righteousness, truth, and true change in the lives of Filipinos who are choosing to dream, work hard, and aim for victory, Duterte said in a video message posted on her Facebook account.

“Huwag sana kayong maging kasangkapan ng pagmamalabis, pagtatraydor, at pagpapahirap ng mga nasa kapangyarihan sa mga kapwa Pilipino na katulad ninyo ay matapang na naninindigan para sa kabutihan, sa tama, sa katotohanan, at sa tagumpay ng mga Pilipino,” she added.

Duterte gave the message as the PMA Sundalong Isinilang na Kasangga at Lakas ng Ating Bayan Para sa Kalayaan (SIKLAB LAYA) Class of 2025 holds its graduation on Saturday at the PMA grounds in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to be at the graduation ceremony.

The vice president said she deeply recognizes the PMA graduates’ love for country which they first showed when they chose to enter the PMA.

“You have chosen the life of selfless service that only the brave, the courageous, and the real patriot would choose — demonstrating strength, integrity, and honor before a nation seeking to overcome institutional abuse of power and extreme inequalities impacting mostly the poor,” she said.

“Sa inyong paglilingkod ay magsisiklab hindi lamang ang mga minimithi natin bilang isang malayang bansa kundi pati na rin ang pagliliyab at paglagablab ng ating lakas upang maging tunay na malaya,” Duterte said.

(Your service will pave the way for the fulfillment not just of our dreams as a free nation but also the strengthening of our forces so we can become truly free.)

“I trust that you will continue to personify the virtues that shaped your military education and enabled you to become commendable cadets with courage, integrity, and loyalty to your noble path of duty,” she added.

She then urged the graduates to look forward to the future.

“Keep the fervor within you burning and continue building a bright future amid every hurdle and challenge in these times of uncertainty so you may stand as a beacon of hope and strength to our hopeful nation,” Duterte said.

“May you always strive to restore and uphold the values of an independent, non-partisan and professional institution. One, whose sole duty is to defend the constitution,” she said.

“May you never yield to the greed for material gain, political pressure, or foreign influence. May you always stand unbowed. Congratulations, ‘Siklab-Laya’ Class of 2025! Shukran,” Duterte added.