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GENERAL ALEXANDER B YANO AFP
Chief of Staff,
Armed Forces of the Philippines
18TH AFP CODE OF ETHICS DAY
13 October 2008
Message
AMENITIES....
Apart from the Monday morning colors, today we are
commemorating the 18th AFP Code of Ethical Standards and Public
Accountability, (OESPA), AFP, The prime mover of ethical standards,
public accountability and military professionalism.
While we commemorate another milestone in the annals of OESPA, there is
in fact a greater underlying meaning to the real importance of this
celebration. As we reflect upon the gains we have made particularly
towards the professionalization of our Armed Forces, we are indeed most
encouraged by the efforts of OESPA in inculcating to our men and women
the ideal norms of public service.
Therefore, I am more concerned on the burning issue that affects all of
us and the organization in all media entities, on the controversies and
criticism lodged on the negative perception and I am confident this will
soon be addressed.
The Ombudsman and the AFP are optimistic to implement any charge of
dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best
interest of the service. This results on the basis of what we have
provided the Ombudsman as we work in a joint effort with the latter in
probing such cases. Incidentally, we have a standing memorandum of
agreement with the Ombudsman and the commission on audit on cases of AFP
Personnel. We initiated this agreement to avoid speculation from the
public, of any bias, such that we welcome any probe by any competent
body on our erring personnel.
In a civilized society such as ours, even the guiltiest criminal is
afforded the due process of law. Under the due process of law, a
respondent is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable
doubt by a competent court.
To this day therefore, any member of the already a number of
generals/flag officers who were implicated or involved in
misappropriation of government funds. Everybody is at liberty to verify
for your self and you can find them at the Ombudsman and the
Sandiganbayan.
Because of the seriousness of the offense which tarnished the AFP image,
I exhort every man and women of the AFP to close ranks in purging the
misfit and scalawags, and cleaning the AFP of graft and corrupt
personnel. Let us all be vigilant and alert to spoil thoughts and deeds
of persons or groups who might take advantage of this imbroglio. We
should never give our fellow soldiers reason to have reservations
against the government.
Our commitment to clean and professional AFP is unsullied in the pursuit
of justice, professionalism and integrity. There will be no let up in
our efforts in this direction.
With the prevailing situation unfolding, I am certain that todays’
celebration of the AFP Code of Ethics day will allow us to understand
more the enormous challenge of defining and explaining our moral
conviction and responsibility to public trust. Though we are caught in
the midst of inspected events, let it be a challenge for us to
strengthen or resolve to do our jobs with the highest degree of
excellence in the accomplishment of our assigned tasks.
The AFP Code of ethics is a dogma which should be valued in every
soldier’s way of life. It must be inculcated on the minds of every
officers and men, the significance of the AFP Code of Ethics in his/her
military career and let them realize its value in possessing a
professional AFP of which we are formulated to define our norms of
conduct as public servants, to which we have pledged to abide and will
again reaffirm that pledge this morning.
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