WHEREAS, the release of topnotchers examinees in the professional licensure examinations has not been consistent in the absence of a written policy thereon;

WHEREAS, the documentation and institutionalization of such release will not only ensure consistent implementation of the policy but will also bestow honor and distinction to the topnotchers and their alma maters for their laudable excellent performance and motivate future examinees and their colleges to excel through qualitative educational preparation and the Department of Education (DepEd) to enhance the standard of education;

WHEREAS, the publication of topnotchers with their schools is consonant with the DepEd's "liberalization policy on the operation of schools" designed to upgrade and uplift the quality of graduates;

WHEREAS, the Commission has the power under Republic Act No. 8981, section 7 (b.) to make such rules and regulations and issue such orders and other administrative issuances as may be necessary in the execution and implementation of its functions and the improvement of its services and under section 7 (d), to approve the results of examinations and release the same; xxx publish the list of successful examinees;

WHEREFORE, the Commission hereby RESOLVES, as it is so RESOLVED, to prescribe, issue, and promulgate the hereunder guidelines on the release of topnotchers examinees in the professional licensure examinations, viz:

1. The rank, the name, the college, and the general average rating of the topnotchers shall be indicated in the official release of the examination results;

2. The release shall include the first twenty (20) topnotchers wherein the examination has three thousand (3000) or more examinees provided that the number of successful examinees be not less than one hundred (100); or the first ten (10) topnotchers wherein the examination has less than three thousand (3000) but not less than 100 examinees provided that the number of successful examinees be not less than fifty (50). Otherwise no listing of topnotchers shall be made;

3. In case of examinations divided into several grades, the total number of examinees for each grade shall be the basis for the listing of either the top ten or twenty places;

4. The name of a topnotcher examinee whose examination papers are cancellable due to violation of the Instruction to Examinees shall not be included in the list for publication in the newspapers of general circulation;

However his rank in the top ten (10) or twenty (20) places shall have a corresponding notation: "Name withheld pending investigation." Should his examination papers be not cancelled, his name shall be inserted in the Table of Results, and an appropriate amendment of the official release shall accordingly be made;

5. To be eligible as topnotcher, the examinee must have taken a complete examination and not have failed twice in previous examinations.

FURTHER, RESOLVED, that the Professional Regulatory Boards, the Rating Division and the Legal and Investigation Division shall strictly implement the herein Resolution;

FURTHERMORE, RESOLVED, that copy of the herein Resolution be furnished to the Department of Education for dissemination to all colleges with courses requiring licensure examination;

FINALLY RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall be effective fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Adopted: 2 June 2005

(SGD.) LEONOR TRIPON-ROSERO
Chairperson

(SGD.) AVELINA A. DE LA REA
Commissioner