Arroyo gives NBI till Monday to wrap up nursing test probe

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQ7.net
Last updated 11:42am (Mla time) 10/06/2006

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has given the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) until Monday to submit its report on its investigation the leak-tainted June 2006 nursing licensure examinations.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Friday the NBI report -- one of two requisites the Palace said it needs before deciding on whether or not a retake of the controversial nursing board exam is needed -- will be discussed in Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

The other requirement is the decision of the Court of Appeals on pending petitions to nullify the oath taking of board passers, stop the issuance of licenses to those who have taken their oath, and order a retake of tests 3 and 5 of the exam.

However, while Malacañang said early this week that it would take “no position” on the retake issue pending the NBI investigation and the court decision, Ermita this time said a decision on the matter is expected to be firmed up at the Cabinet meeting and will be the basis of an executive order to be issued next week.

Prior to the “no position” stand, Arroyo had alternately said she was against a retake, for it and later, for a partial retake.

Ermita said he also called up Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales to remind him of the NBI deadline.

The NBI is expected to determine who benefited from the leakage. Earlier, it recommended the filing of criminal charges against two examiners who allegedly leaked questions to tests 3 and 5 of the nursing board.