A Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on the Ruling Elites and the Military was held by the Center of People Empowerment in Governance last August 1, 2008, 2:30 – 5 p.m. at the Bulwagang Sala’am, Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman. Dr. Dante Simbulan, graduate and former faculty of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), UP Diliman and Ateneo de Manila University and a former Dean of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) College of Arts and Sciences, was guest speaker. Dr. Simbulan discussed the historical development of the military and the role of the ruling elites in politicizing and even corrupting the military.

The panel of reactors was composed of Dr. Claire Carlos, former President of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) and full professor of the Political Science Department in UP Diliman; Prof. Edgardo Dagdag, faculty of the Asian Center in UP Diliman and former lecturer in the NDCP; and Lt. Gen. Romeo Padiernos (PA, ret.), former commanding general, Southern Command (SouthCom).

Ret. Lt. Gen. Romeo Padiernos (PA), extreme right, shares his reaction during the open forum.
Also in the picture are Dr. Clarita Carlos and Dr. Dante Simbulan, forum speaker.