BAGUIO CITY — Col. Leah L. Santiago of the Philippine Army assumed command as the first female Commandant of Cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on Saturday, October 17, 2026, becoming the first woman to hold the post in the academy's history.
Santiago simultaneously took over as Head of the Tactics Group during a change of command ceremony held at Yap Hall in Fort General Gregorio H. del Pilar, according to a press release from the PMA Public Affairs Office signed by its chief, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Nestor Saludo.
Succession From Acting Commandant
Santiago succeeded Col. Eugene Henry Z. Cabusao, who had been serving as Acting Commandant of Cadets since Brig. Gen. Nelson C. Aluad retired from the military on September 26, 2026. PMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael G. Logico presided over the ceremony.
Santiago's Address to the Cadet Corps
In her assumption remarks, Santiago said she would guide cadets toward becoming "officers of character, competence, and commitment—leaders who uphold integrity, develop the skills and judgment needed to accomplish the mission, and remain steadfast in their duty to their soldiers and country."
She spoke directly to the cadets under her new command, drawing on her own experience as a pioneer female cadet.
"Remember, you are not here merely to earn a degree or a commission. You are here to prepare yourselves for the responsibility of leading soldiers and defending our Republic," Santiago said.
"I do not expect you to be perfect. I expect you to be honest about your weaknesses, receptive to correction, and determined to improve. I was once where you are now—learning, struggling, making mistakes, and being shaped by people who saw potential in me even when I still had much to learn," she added.
Logico Cites the Weight of the Role
Superintendent Logico, who assumed command as the academy's 86th superintendent in July, acknowledged Santiago's historical significance and the demands of the post.
"As Commandant of Cadets, she will have the responsibility of helping shape the character, competence, and leadership of the next generation of officers. She will help prepare them not only to meet the demands of today's operational environment, but also face the challenges of a future we cannot fully predict," Logico said.
"That is tremendous responsibility. And I have every confidence that she is prepared to meet it," he said.
A Pioneer of the First Female PMA Batch
Santiago, born Leah Lorenzo, belongs to PMA "Kalasag-Lahi" Class of 1997 — the first class to produce female graduates of the academy. Women were first admitted to the PMA in 1993, and seven from that pioneering batch graduated in 1997, according to earlier reports by the Philippine News Agency.
Santiago was a cadet of Charlie Company. The academy identifies her as the PMA's first female summa cum laude graduate, and past reports from the Inquirer and Philstar indicate she finished third in her class order of merit.
Three Decades of Command and Staff Roles
After graduating and being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Philippine Army, Santiago began her career with the 30th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, where she served as platoon leader, executive officer, and eventually company commander of Bravo Company, according to the PMA.
She subsequently held leadership and administrative roles at Philippine Army headquarters and at the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
From 2016 to 2019, Santiago returned to the PMA as the first female Senior Tactical Officer of the Cadet Corps. She then commanded the 9th Field Artillery unit of the Army Artillery Regiment in Sulu — a posting the Philippine Army has described as making her the first woman to lead an Army artillery battalion as commanding officer.
Most recently, before her return to the academy, she served successively as executive officer and deputy of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel (G1), director of the Personnel Management Center, and the Army's Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G1.
Three Master's Degrees and International Training
Santiago completed the Field Artillery Basic and Advanced Courses, the Military Intelligence Officer Course, and the Command and General Staff Course, along with specialized military training in Australia, the academy said.
She holds three master's degrees: a Master in Public Management, major in Development Security, from the Development Academy of the Philippines; a Master of Strategic Studies from the Australian National University; and a Master of Business Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. She also trained in gender and development planning and budgeting at the Miriam College Women and Gender Institute.
Scope of the Commandant's Role
As Commandant, Santiago will oversee the military training and development of future AFP officers. The PMA said the role encompasses building the competence, adaptability, and judgment cadets need for modern warfare and an evolving security environment.
The academy described her assumption as another milestone in the advancement of women in military leadership.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Philippine Military Academy Public Affairs Office