By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan
West Visayas State University (WVSU) on Friday, March 15, declared that it would invalidate the recently-held College Admission Test (WVSUCAT) and will schedule a retake of the examinations soon because of the ongoing controversy over alleged leaks of test questions.
The announcement, made on Friday, March 15, was a joint decision by the WVSU administration and its Board of Regents.
Earlier in the day, Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Loreto-Garin informed Bombo Radyo Iloilo of the impending board meeting.
Details of the new WVSU AE will be communicated directly to the takers through their registered email addresses.
“There is reason to believe that the integrity of the examination has been compromised. Given this, the University will schedule a retake of the WVSU Admission Exam (WVSU AE) to be conducted on a date we will announce very soon and to be administered in identified testing centers covering the strategic geographical areas,” the university said in its statement, which was published on the page of its Office of the President.
“Rest assured that the University stands by the principles of equity and fairness in handling its affairs. Conducting another examination will eliminate undue advantage for specific individuals who may have benefitted from the leaked examination items,” they added.
The university assured that it would continue its investigation on the matter to hold the persons involved accountable.
“While the administration has moved forward through this difficult decision, we assure the public that the ongoing investigation will continue to proceed to identify accountable individuals for this breach. We empathize with the student examinees and their families for the inconvenience this has created. With that, we express our sincerest apologies,” they stated.
In a separate Bombo Radyo interview, WVSU President Dr. Joselito Villaruz called on the public “not to ride on the issue” so as not to cloud the results of the investigation.
“The investigation is a very meticulous process, because […] there are multiple steps involved, and there are individuals that are also involved during these critical steps,” he said.
“Individuals who have been contributory to the preparation of the exam, to the conduct of the exam, to the pilot testing of the exam, all of them will be called to present their case or opinion about the case. They will be asked for some enlightenment in the investigation.”
Villaruz also said that all updates on the investigation would come directly from the Office of the President.
“The official statement will come from the Office of the President because that’s only the time that they confirm that there is really a leak in the conduct of the WVSU-CAT. As far as I know, I haven’t received the document [with findings],” Villaruz said.
“I would like to deny those allegations or statements coming from anyone. The committee is an independent body, and they cannot issue statements without a full investigation report,” he added.
This stance counters an earlier confirmation of the leaks by WVSU Public Affairs and Marketing Communications Office head Hazel Villa on Thursday evening.
Villa, who was reportedly authorized by Villaruz, said: “Our initial investigation confirms a leakage in the WVSUCAT. The university denounces the cheating and will take legal action against those responsible.”
Sources close to the university informed Daily Guardian that Dr. Villa, then at a conference in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan when the initial leak allegations surfaced on social media, was their designated spokesperson on the matter, with authority from Villaruz.
“WVSU has determined in its initial investigation today, March 14, that there is indeed a leakage of items in the WVSU CAT. The university strongly condemns the cheating that ensued following the leakage. Individuals found responsible for the leakage will face the full force of the law, based on its findings. The public is requested to wait for the findings anytime next week, as well as options to ensure a fair approach to the cheating issue,” Villa said in her Thursday statement.
