The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed that a cadet requested a watch from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduation ceremony in May this year.
This issue gained attention after Vice President Sara Duterte mentioned it during a recent media conference, where she described her relationship with Marcos as “toxic,” referencing the incident when Marcos did not approve the cadet’s request.
Despite the controversy, AFP Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla clarified that the cadet’s actions do not reflect the overall culture and discipline of the academy.
Padilla also noted that the cadet faced appropriate disciplinary action for his behavior, but his punishment was not severe.
The cadet is currently assigned to the Philippine Air Force.
It’s worth noting that in 2019, another cadet similarly requested a watch from then-President Rodrigo Duterte during the PMA graduation, a request that Duterte granted.