Gatchalian alarmed by PRC licensure exam leaks

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

February 16, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has raised alarm over reported leakages in professional licensure examinations conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), warning that compromised exams could undermine professional standards and endanger public safety.

During a recent Senate hearing, Gatchalian stressed the importance of safeguarding the integrity of licensure exams to ensure public safety. 

“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. It is deeply concerning to consider that lives could be lost because a doctor passed the licensure examination due to a leak, or that buildings could collapse because an engineer passed as a result of such irregularities,” he said in Filipino. 

“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’s statement came after the Second Congressional Commission on Education reported that portions of the March 2023 Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers were allegedly leaked online.

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 within the PRC.

Navarro explained that members of the board are typically placed under quarantine while examination questionnaires are being prepared to prevent unauthorized disclosures.

However, it was noted during the hearing that there is a strong possibility the leaks may have occurred during the actual administration of the examination.