The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) on Sunday maintained that Marines who had been discharged without honor could not invoke the adage “Once a Marine, always a Marine” to give credibility to their actions.
The PMC issued the reminder three days after 18 former Marines and Army soldiers appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to repeat their allegations involving the delivery of kickbacks.
The 18 were first presented to the media by lawyer Levi Baligod on February 24, when they initially claimed that money had been delivered to several politicians.
The Philippine Navy, which has jurisdiction over the PMC, later said only 14 of them had been associated with the Marine Corps, and that the majority had been dishonorably discharged. The four others were former members of the Philippine Army.
“The 37th Commandant has spoken on the matter in February 2026…It still stands…Once is enough!” the PMC said on its Facebook page, referring to PMC commandant Maj. Gen. Vicente Blanco III.
The PMC also reposted Blanco’s February 25 statement, which said: “Reiterating our time-honored Marine ethos and our unquestioned and strong spirit de corps, an individual who was discharged without honor could not claim the adage ‘once a Marine, always a Marine’ to lend credence to his actions.”
Blanco earlier said “opportunistic groups or individuals” who link the actions of the discharged Marines as “being true Marines” are “unworthy of our respect.”
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) reiterated its allegiance to the Constitution.
“As a professional, non-partisan institution, our service to the Filipino people is guided strictly by the rule of law, civilian supremacy, and democratic principles,” Solcom said in a statement.
“We remain united under the chain of command and steadfast in the fulfillment of our constitutional mandate,” it added.
Solcom also urged the public to “uphold responsible discourse” and avoid dragging the Armed Forces, particularly Solcom, into what it described as “partisan political issues or divisive narratives.”
“The AFP remains focused on its constitutional duties of protecting the people, safeguarding national security, and upholding democratic institutions,” it added.