(File photo of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday served as guest of honor and keynote speaker at the joint graduation ceremony of the Major Services Officer Candidate Course for Calendar Year 2025.
The event was held at the Philippine Air Force Gymnasium inside Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
A total of 638 graduates from the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Army completed the year-long Officer Candidate Course.
The new officers belong to the PAF’s Kahimdaliyan Class 2025, the PN’s Sagmaraya Class 2025, and the PA’s Bumannawag Class 2025.
Marcos led the presentation of awards to the top four graduates from each service branch.
He also handed diplomas to the three class presidents as part of the ceremony’s concluding honors.
The President lauded the graduates for completing what he described as an intensive and demanding training program.
The Officer Candidate Course accepts qualified civilians and enlisted personnel who hold baccalaureate degrees.
The program aims to prepare trainees for service as commissioned second lieutenants and ensigns in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The AFP said the new officers are expected to bolster the military’s ranks amid ongoing efforts to strengthen territorial defense and advance the defense modernization program. Dani Lagman