Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has raised alarm over alleged leakages in professional licensure examinations administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), warning that such incidents could allow unqualified individuals to enter regulated professions.
“This is alarming. The whole point of coming up with an examination for professionals is to ensure that we have doctors, engineers, or teachers who are qualified,” Gatchalian said during a recent Senate hearing.
“Nakakatakot na mamatayan tayo dahil lang may leakage kaya nakapasang doktor o gumuho ang mga building dahil nakapasa lang na engineer dahil sa leakage. Even though it's an allegation, I’m very much concerned because we spend so much in regulating these professions and so much time in making laws,” he added.
The senator issued the statement following a report by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), which disclosed that items from the March 2023 Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers were leaked online.
During the hearing, Dr. Rosita Navarro, chairperson of the Career Progression and Specialization Program Credit Accumulation and Transfer System Committee for Professional Teachers, maintained that any leakage did not originate from the PRC.
She explained that members of the board are typically placed under quarantine while examination questions are being prepared.
However, it was also raised in the hearing that the alleged leaks may have occurred during the actual conduct of the examinations.
Gatchalian emphasized the need to safeguard the integrity of licensure exams, noting that public safety and trust in regulated professions depend on ensuring that only qualified individuals are granted professional licenses.