PRESS RELEASE Control No. 2022-11
AUTHORITY: PBGEN ERIC E NOBLE, Director, PNPA
ACTION OFFICER: PLTCOL LOUIE DC GONZAGA, Chief, Public Information Office
DATE: September 14, 2022
PNPA HOLDS LEADERSHIP MATTERS FORUM
The Philippine National Police Academy held the very first Leadership Matters Forum on September 12, 2022, featuring LTGEN Jaime S. Delos Santos (Ret), the former Commanding General of the Philippine Army, and Mr. Astrolito Del Castillo, a former financial advisor to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The Director, PNPA PBGEN Eric E. Noble, Command Group, PNPA Division Chiefs, PNPA Academics and Tactics Group members, and the cadets from the various classes all attended the aforementioned activity, which took place inside the Heroes Hall.
The distinguished gentlemen spoke to the audience about the qualities of a respected leader, emphasizing that “a leader needs to communicate a clear vision to his followers because without vision, there would be no clear direction for leadership and the followers would be left following their superior blindly.” Additionally, “a great leader needs to be humble and resist life’s greatest temptations.” The speakers also discussed the four qualities—honesty, inspiration, competence, and forward-lookingness—that PNPA personnel and cadets should exhibit and apply to themselves. The speaker continued, “It is crucial that one practices these four characters in order to become a great and respected leader.” As it is, leadership is a matter of ascendancy.
It was also a good chance for participants to share their own opinions, feelings, and insights about the forum. The Cadet Corps Publications members then presented the guests with a leadership book project that had been conceptualized by the Director, PNPA, and which, once it is published, will act as a resource and a manual for the Cadet Corps’ future classes’ leadership training. We are very excited to be a part of this highly significant undertaking and we take pride in the idea that we will be part of a new way forward towards the Academy’s goal of producing future leaders of this country, said Police Cadet Andrea Moyano, an Assistant Cadet in Charge in the Corps Publication.
In closing, LTGEN Delos Santos reminded the audience, particularly the cadets, to “shoot for the stars but keep them on your shoulders,” a fitting reminder that rank is a responsibility and that leaders should be humble and not be overshadowed by an incorrect sense of authority over their subordinates, but rather a figure who inspires his peers to follow.