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Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Arroyo set to issue nursing test retake order
MANILA -- Malacañang Monday said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is reviewing a draft executive order (EO) on the retake of the nursing licensure exams, which will serve as the standard in the other professional examinations.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the order is expected to be issued on Wednesday at the latest.
Ermita said the EO is needed to have a "stronger effect on the subjects because there are so many affected" and "it has an effect on other licensure exams."
He said the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) is conducting 72 examinations for 43 professionals.
He also said Labor Secretary Arturo Brion met with the PRC, Board of Nursing, and other stakeholders, including the deans of nursing schools, from Wednesday to Saturday before coming out with the draft order.
"What is important is the basis of the decision to have a retake or not, who will retake, which portion of the exams, the relation of the test to the test to be given in December -- all of that have a bearing on the EO and what is its bearing on the Court of Appeals (CA) case," he said.
Arroyo reiterated that the retake would involve only Tests 3 and 5.
She said last week that the government will subsidize the exams "to lighten the burden." Government estimates that it would have to fork out P52 million for the test.
Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor said because of the pending case in CA, which questioned the oath taking of those who passed the exams, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has time to conduct a more thorough investigation.
He said the CA would need the results of the NBI investigation.
Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Malacañang is showing again it is putting itself above the judiciary.
Lacson raised the issue Monday even as many residents of Bohol province, whose relatives took last June's board examinations, questioned what they believe to be a double standard in the retake.
"The Court of Appeals has not issued any decision on the matter yet Malacañang already made a decision. Why is it preempting the judiciary? Does it feel it is above a co-equal branch of government?" Lacson said.
He said at the very least, Malacañang should have been "more discerning" and deferential to the court instead of making such an announcement that many feel was "too sudden."
Presumption of guilt
Lacson said many Boholanos approached him and complained that retaking the examination will mean not only added expenses in going back to Manila but also a "presumption of guilt."
"There should be a presumption of innocence. Yet, those who passed the examinations feel they are being treated as if they were guilty," he said.
On the other hand, he said many Boholanos were dismayed over the prospect of having to retake the examinations even if the government were to spend P52 million for it.
"They are crying foul because even if they did not cheat, they will be made to spend anew for the ship fare to Manila, the review, and board and lodging and other expenses," he said.
At a youth convention in Bohol, Lacson urged the country's future leaders to develop and cherish principles and moral courage, and do what is right as part of "positive activism."
"Some rules have to be permanent and we call them principles. Without principles, perks and privileges soon enough become the devil's sanctuary. Our first preference then, perhaps our first loyalty, should be to our principles and to all the people to whom we are responsible. Without this preferential loyalty we all become useless," he said. (Sunnex)
(October 3, 2006 issue)
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