NBI-6 confirms cheating in DepEd Iloilo achievement examinations

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation 6 confirmed that massive cheating took place in the National Achievement Test in 2010 and the Regional Achievement Test this year in Barotac Nuevo town of Iloilo.

NBI-6 regional director Elfren Meneses said there were many documents that could prove that fraud occurred, however, he could not point out the persons involved in the cheating.

Last June, after the investigation was completed, the result was forwarded to the legal department of the NBI head office.

"It was sent to the legal department for their evaluation. Once the evaluation is completed and they affirmed our recommendation, we will furnish a copy to the DepEd and the Iloilo provincial government," Meneses said.

By furnishing a copy to the DepEd, Meneses expected DepEd will pursue possible administrative charges against its own employees. The NBI could then file criminal charges based on the administrative proceedings that would be instituted by DepEd, he said.

NBI-6 started the investigation last March and Meneses hinted then that the results would be released after three months. "It could have been earlier if not for some school activities that required the presence of the teachers who were part of the investigation," he said earlier.

Aside from Lico-an Elementary School, where the cheating allegedly took place, Meneses' team also looked into 25 other schools in Barotac Nuevo.

NBI came into picture after Iloilo Provincial Board Member Gerardo Flores (1st dist.) asked the agency them to investigate Gracia Malazarte's claims of massive cheating in her school.

Before the investigation, NBI-6 requested for a blanket authority to be able to access records related to the questioned examination results. At least three agents were assigned to the case.

Among other things, Malazarte said cheating was the reason why the Division of Iloilo topped the 2010 NAT in Grades 3 and 6 and placed second in the high school level in Western Visayas. In the national level, Iloilo province placed third.

Despite Malazarte's assertion that the massive cheating took place, a group of educators from public elementary and high schools in Iloilo assailed her allegations, which they said had demoralizing effect on them.

DepEd-6, headed by regional director Mildred Garay, has also investigated Malazarte's allegations. - THE FREEMAN