Honor Code My Hairy Butt!

The word "honor" has been making the social media rounds lately. This was fuelled by a relatively low-octane incident in the Philippine Military Academy. The officers from the academy take their Honor Code seriously. They would die for, with, and because of this so-called Code. After all, there's nothing wrong with swearing never to lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate the commission of such offenses. To live with such ideals is nothing short of admirable, indeed. Anyone who breaks this code is condemned to be stricken off the ranks.

However, this Code is there to instill a twisted kind of discipline and brotherhood within the ranks. Plebes learn about it on day-one at the PMA, and that seed is nurtured for years until it bears the bland fruit of blind obedience. The kind of discipline exhibited by university fratmen. A code of cold silence; something not unlike Omerta of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra. When an officer lies, cheats, steals , his mistahs look the other way; contrary to the Code. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. And so, monkey-business flourishes.

This is the dark and sinister side of the Honor Code civilians are wary of. Over the years, officers have been accused of lying, cheating, stealing, and tolerating others who do so; and yet not one has ever been ostracized by the academy alumni. Is the Honor Code of the prestigious Philippine Military Academy an ethical guideline or a code of silence?

This word "honor" has lost its true meaning in this world. Politicians attach "Honorable" to their names. Corrupt judges demand they be addressed the same way.  Honor needs integrity! Without it, it is just a punchline in a drunken bar room joke. Think about it: if every academy graduate lived by the Honor Code, no PMA officer would be living in posh villages; owning several luxury vehicles; and maintaining several mistresses. Because they won't be able to afford it.