Nursing exam controversy: Osmeña to shoulder expenses for retake

Amid protests of a retake of the controversial nursing licensure examination, Mayor Tomas Osmeña assured that the city government will spend P5,000 for every examinee who is a registered voter in the city should a retake push through.

During a protest rally held at Fuente Osmeña yesterday, Osmeña said the amount would be taken from the city's calamity fund.

More than 500 nursing board passers gathered at Fuente Osmeña to express their opposition to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's decision of a retake of the examination.

The mayor also announced that the city would pay for the lawyer's services in case the board passers would need legal assistance.

However, the board passers and their parents seemed unhappy of the mayor's announcement, saying that their sacrifices and agony in taking the exam will never be paid by any amount.

"That's very unfair, why would we take the exam again when we did not even cheat. Our agony pain, physical, emotional and mental stress will never be paid by any amount. We took this exam with much honesty. I hope somehow God will enlighten you Madame President," said Abby Matiga, one of the board passers.

Matiga's mother, Jane, who is also a registered nurse, said it is very unfair if her daughter and other board passers in the Visayas and Mindanao would have to retake the examination because there was no leakage in these areas.

"We supported you Madame President we voted for you in the last election. Cebu has always been good to you. Then why involve us to something that we are innocent of?" Matiga asked.

"Since there was cheating of the last presidential elections, even though I'm sure both sides are guilty of it, should we call for another election to restore the integrity of the presidency? (The) same holds true for all the senators and other elective officials of the land so that we can restore the integrity of their respective offices? What is food for the goose is food for the gander. This is a point to ponder for those who are advocating for a retake. What if another leakage will happen, should we punish the innocent?" one of the parents also said.

The President has earlier clarified that only Tests 3 and 5, which are the portions covered by the leakage, of the board examination will be retaken.

The retake of the two parts will be held before the other nursing examination in December and Arroyo said the government would subsidize the cost of the retake. - Jasmin R. Uy/LPM