Palace defends backtracking on nursing board issue

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQ7.net
Last updated 10:07pm (Mla time) 10/05/2006

MALACAÑANG on Thursday defended deferring its decision on whether to order a retake of the leak-tainted June 2006 nursing licensure examinations, saying it needed time to thoroughly review the issue.

At the same time it assured the public that any decision it reached would be fair to all, punish the guilty and spare the innocent.

Several quarters have been quick to slam the Palace for its shifting position on the test retake issue, with opposition solons saying the “flip-flopping” was indicative of the administration’s decision-making process.

But Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said: "The complexity of the case compels us to subject it to a more thorough review and to take into consideration the prevailing circumstances to ensure that those who are guilty will bear the brunt of retribution while those who are innocent will be treated fairly."

From initially opposing a retake of the nursing board exam, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo went on to favor a partial retake only for Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to say Wednesday that the administration now had “no position” and preferred to wait for the Court of Appeals to decide on a pending case on the issue and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to wrap up its probe into the scandal.

The NBI report is expected to determine who benefited from the leak by October 15.

Bunye said Arroyo "will not falter on her resolve to settle this issue once and for all and redeem the integrity and good reputation of the nursing licensure system."

He also said concerned government agencies are firming up their recommendations on the matter.

"We assure all stakeholders that justice will be served and the honor of the nursing profession upheld," he said.