PRC-Davao Affirms Integrity of September 2025 LET Despite Question Leakage Allegations

The Professional Regulation Commission in the Davao Region (PRC-Davao) has reassured the public that the integrity of the September 2025 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) remains intact, despite allegations of leaked exam questions.

The controversy arose when a contracted exam watcher, identified as a senior high school teacher from a prominent Davao City institution, was accused of photographing test questions and sending them to unidentified review centers in exchange for ₱10,000. The suspect was apprehended by the National Bureau of Investigation-Southeastern Mindanao (NBI-Semro) at the Davao City National High School during the LET administration on Sunday, September 21.

PRC-Davao Regional Director Raquel Abrantes stated that the commission promptly sought assistance from the NBI, which culminated in the arrest. She emphasized the unfairness of such acts to diligent and honest examinees, expressing hope this incident would not recur.

"Hopefully, hindi naman, wag naman sana kase that’s not fair doon sa mga honest at nag-aaral ng mabuti," Abrantes remarked during a press briefing on Monday, September 22.

Abrantes further raised concerns that the leaked questions might have been transmitted before the exam concluded, potentially compromising the testing process. She indicated that although security protocols were already stringent, further enhancements would be implemented.

According to PRC sources, the suspect confessed to sending photos of the test questions to a review center for payment. While the suspect surrendered one mobile phone before the exam began, a second device used for taking photos was discovered and confiscated later.

Regional intelligence confirmed the suspect’s role as a senior high school teacher at Ateneo de Davao University, an aggravating factor due to the breach of professional ethics. However, the accused denied the allegations and his employment details in an impromptu interview.

PRC, in collaboration with the Philippine National Police and NBI, is preparing administrative charges against the individual. He may also face criminal prosecution for violating the PRC Modernization Act of 2000 (Republic Act 8981), as amended by RA 9416. Punishments under this law include imprisonment ranging from six to 12 years, fines between ₱50,000 and ₱100,000, and a permanent ban from taking government examinations.

Investigations are ongoing to determine if other parties or review centers were involved in the leak.

Abrantes noted that this incident could be the first involving a contracted LET watcher accused of leaking exam materials in the Davao Region but assured the public there would be no repetition of test questions in future exams.

"Walang test question na ginawa ngayon na uulitin sa next exam," she confirmed.

The results for the September 2025 LET are expected by December. For context, the March 2025 examination recorded passing rates of 46.77 percent for elementary and 62.27 percent for secondary levels, while the September 2024 exam had passing rates of 45.51 percent and 56.88 percent, respectively.