SENATOR Joel Villanueva is calling for an inquiry into the widespread issue of fake national certificates linked to Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

In Senate Resolution No. 1184, Villanueva expressed concern that the spread of counterfeit certificates could damage the reputation of the country’s TVET and quality assurance systems.

This may deter students and employers, who rely on these certifications as proof of workforce competency.

“The distribution of fake certificates tarnishes the image of TESDA and undermines the integrity of its certification system,” Villanueva stated in the resolution.

Since 2016, TESDA has been warning the public about the rise of fake certificates. They have also asked the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the syndicates responsible for producing these fraudulent documents.

In 2023, TESDA reiterated its warning following the arrest of a man in Cotabato City who was caught selling fake National Certificates.

Despite these efforts, Villanueva noted that numerous reports of fake TESDA NCs or Certificates of Competency continue to surface, including allegations of a ‘no appearance requirement’ for TESDA assessments and certifications in some online groups.