27 Palaro cheats face raps

The Department of Education (DepEd) has recommended the filing of charges against 11 school officials from the DepEd and 16 students from public schools for their involvement in the falsification of public documents in this year’s Palarong Pambansa.

Those include coaches, teachers and a principal, who allowed over-age elementary athletes to participate in football or baseball events of the Palaro held last May in Naga City.

In his memorandum to DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus last Aug. 4, DepEd Undersecretary for legal and legislative affairs Franklin Sunga, chairman of the fact-finding investigation team, said the team had recommended "the filing of appropriate administrative charges and criminal charges before the offices and courts having jurisdiction over the DepEd personnel and the meting of perpetual banishment from all DepEd sports meets".

Sunga named those allegedly involved in the controversy as teachers Rey Anthony Sorronda of Nato National High School, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Orlando Abuyen, Catbalogan II Central Elementary School, Catbalogan and Manolito Rejano, Mulanay District, Quezon; Hilda Ladaga, an adviser in Kalasan Elementary School, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Norte; Ruperto Dayo, principal, Kalasan Elementary School; Getta Galo, Sindangan Pilot Demonstration School; Lydia Carumba, Sindangan Pilot Demonstration School-SPED (Special Education program); Anafe Colita, Sindangan Pilot Demonstration School; Virgie Sorronda, district supervisor, Sindangan; Remegio Luy, principal, Sindangan Pilot Demonstration School-SPED; and Marietta Opulencia, athletic manager, DepEd Region IV-A.

Lapus has yet to decide on the allegations.

DepEd released the result of its investigation two months after the cheating was exposed to the media.

In its recommendation, DepEd said the school officials from Zamboanga del Norte, Samar and Quezon violated Republic Act 6713, or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, for allowing over-age students to participate in the annual nationwide sports event.

The school officials could face prison term up to five years and dismissal from the service. They will also be suspended without pay for six months, the DepEd said.

The department also recommended the filing of criminal charges against the 16 athletes aged over 18 years old.

They were identified as Jonquil Cabanas, Nicodemus Baconawa, Nelson Abuntao, Alexis Clemente and Rolando Aguilar of Samar National High School; Ryldred Mag-aso, Sindangan National Agricultural School, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Eddie Ugdamina, Sindangan National Agricultural School; Kevin Rojonan, Sindangan National High School ; Melvin Mazo, Sindangan National High School; Raniel Osmillo; Rannel Loyola; Jayson Fetalcorin; Mark Rocha; Robert Calderon; Mark Lester Garbo; and a certain Dingdong, reportedly a college student.

The athletes were also banned from all sports events sponsored by the DepEd.

They were found to have faked their birth certificates and registered in different names to be able to compete in the Palaro.