ASoG holds Diploma Awarding Ceremony for ASoG AFP CGSC Class 68

The Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) held a Diploma Awarding Ceremony for the finishers of the ASoG Master in Public Management (MPM) Twinning Program with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff Course (AFP CGSC) last 23 March 2022. The 12 awardees of the ASoG CGSC Class 68 received their Diploma in Public Management after roughly 10 months of taking up ASoG courses, tackling topics and concepts in ethical governance and evidence-based policymaking, and ultimately building key competencies in ethical servant leadership.

The online Ceremony began with an invocation by the Ateneo Professional Schools Campus Minister, Fr. Patrick Falguera, SJ. This was followed with remarks from ASoG Professor of Praxis and the Director of the ASoG MPM CGSC Twinning Program, RADM ROMMEL JUDE ONG PN. In his speech, Admiral Ong acknowledged the hard work of the batch in completing the program, especially considering that they have been deployed in their respective operational areas.

The event was graced by AFP’s former Chief of Staff and distinguished military officer, GEN EMMANUEL T BAUTISTA. In his speech, General Bautista outlined the need for the awardees to practice professional and moral governance. He went on by saying that professionalism in AFP is defined by expertise or competence for the military profession, especially in defense and security. He added that being professional for the AFP also means remaining to be non-partisan even amid attempts of others to employ the AFP into partisan political activities.

General Bautista then explained what moral governance meant: avoiding corruption and calling out malpractices. He said, “Moral governance is honorable governance. It is taking to heart integrity and honesty.” General Bautista also mentioned that the awardees are now Ateneans which thereby make them “men and women for others.” He encouraged them not just to practice his advice but also to influence others in the AFP towards professional and moral governance. “More than adherence, you need to be advocates of [professional and moral governance],” General Bautista shared.

After General Bautista’s words of encouragement, the class was then awarded their certificates. This was followed by a video highlighting their ASoG journey. Then, two of the awardees delivered their message to represent the ASoG CGSC Class 68. First was LTC SHIELA MARIE F DAUZ PAF (GSC), who in her speech emphasized the greater responsibilities of the class after finishing in ASoG, especially in spreading the Ignatian discernment and values that they gained. Similarly, CDR CYRUS B MENDOZA PN (GSC), underpinned the importance of the courses that they took in ASoG, especially in the role of their class to push for progress in the Filipino society.

Meanwhile, in his closing remarks, the Vice President for the Ateneo Professional Schools, John Paul C. Vergara, PhD reflected on the cannonball experience of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus and the patron saint of all Catholic military soldiers in the world. VP Vergara paralleled St. Ignatuis’ life story - as a brave soldier who sought to bring honor to his king - with the lives that the awardees lead as well, “staking their own lives for the protection of our beloved nation and to preserve our democratic way of life.” VP Vergara shared his hope that the awardees’ ASoG journey may be, as with St Ignatius’ cannonball experience in Pamplona, one that meaningfully changes their perspective of the world that dares them in hope to dream of greater and bigger things for our world and for our people.

The Ceremony closed with the Ateneo hymn, Song for Mary, and finally a few parting words from the ASoG Dean Ronald U. Mendoza PhD.

The Ateneo School of Government congratulates the ASoG CGSC Class 68 and wishes them the best in their journey of service