MARITIME ACADEMY OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC-KAMAYA POINT

Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines-PTGWO-ITF

Kamaya Pt., Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan

HONOR BOARD FORMAL INVESTIGATION

Conducted on or about 1500H of 05 June 2020 at the Annex Building, CGSO Campus

Alleged “CHEATING” committed by MIDN 1CL BRIONES, PHILIP DENNIS L.

I. AUTHORITY: DMA-HC-2020-093

II. MATTERS INVESTIGATED

Alleged “CHEATING” committed by Midn 1cl Briones, Philip Dennis L. that is,
“Act of obtaining the leakage of the exact assessment, to bringing them to the assessment venue, possibly
accessing them during the assessment on or about 1400H, 04 May 2020.”

III. FACTS OF THE CASE

Prior the Formal Investigation of Midn 1cl Briones, Philip Dennis L., the Honor Committee gathered the
following information:
1. Last 04 May 2020, class 2020 had their written assessment at the Don Emilio Building.
2. Around 1345H, Midn 1cl Briones, Philip Dennis L. asked permission to one of the proctors, 3/E
Rizza, Cruz to go to the head.
3. The proctor, 3/E Rizza, Cruz instructed Midn 1cl Briones, Philip Dennis to empty his pockets for
inspection.
4. During the inspection, a folded piece of paper that seemed to be an answer key for each function
of their written assessment was found.
5. Another proctor, C/M Bacasdoon asked Midn 1cl Briones where the answer key came from,
Midn 1cl Briones then said that it came from their section G-mail account which is “Platinum.”
6. Midn 1cl Briones also claimed that the answer key was also sent to their section Messenger
account.
7. The proctor, C/M Bacasdoon then reported Midn 1cl Briones, Philip Dennis L. of Cheating.
IV. DISCUSSION
During the formal investigation, Midn 1cl Briones, Philip Dennis L., swore to the board to tell only
the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The midshipman was also reminded that all of his
statements and evidence to be presented to the board will be recorded. Midn 1cl Briones was asked if he is
aware of his case, the midshipman said he is aware.
According to Midn 1cl Briones, Philip Dennis L., it was around 1345H, during their written
assessment when Midn 1cl Briones suddenly felt the urge to pee. He decided to ask permission before going
to the head. 3/E Rizza, Cruz then asked Midn 1cl Briones to empty his pockets before going to the head.
Upon inspecting 3/E Rizza, Cruz then saw the folded piece of paper that seemed to contain answers from
their written assessment including functions 1 to 4. C/M Bacasdoon then decided to talk to Midn 1cl Briones
for clarification. He asked Midn 1cl Briones where the answer key came from, Midn 1cl Briones then
claimed that it came from their section G-mail account and section Messenger account. Midn 1cl Briones
immediately asked permission to go to the head for personal necessities. C/M Bacasdoon then accompanied
Midn 1cl Briones to the head.
After going to the head, Midn 1cl Briones was further asked by C/M Bacasdoon about his alleged
cheating. To support his claims, Midn 1cl Briones then suggested accessing section Platinum’s G-mail and
Messenger account which is his section. According to C/M Bacasdoon, since the Old Dormitory study room
is quite far from the Don Emilio Building, he suggested letting Midn 1cl Briones use his phone instead. C/M
Bacasdoon then took screenshots of their section accounts. C/M Bacasdoon then saw reviewers sent from
Francois Angelo Cruz and the conversation between Midn 1cl Briones and an alumnus from class 2019,
Sycedrick Par Pinggoy. The conversation included a picture or the QMR with answers, following up with a
statement from the alumnus “kara tung leakage bay”. Midn 1cl Briones then replied “mao na ning answer
sa written?” the alumnus then affirmed that it will not give him a perfect score but rather only 70% to 80%.
Midn 1cl Briones then said “okay sir. payts nani haha”. When C/M Bacasdoon asks Midn 1cl Briones if he
is aware that what he did is cheating, Midn 1cl Briones then admits “yes.”
During the preliminary investigation, the board asked Midn 1cl Briones why was the folded paper
containing answers for each function in his pants, he claimed that it was only there because he forgot to take
it off and wash his pants since he was on duty before that day. The board then asked Midn 1cl Briones for
his intention of asking alumnus Pinggoy for the QMR. Midn 1cl Briones claims that it was only for review
purposes only but never actually got to use it. Midn 1cl Briones said that what he used was the exact same
picture from January 20, 2020 in which he got from their group chat in Platinum. He also claims that the
only point of that is to look for the answers in the reviewer and align it with the QMR so that he may find
out the specification or range the assessment will use in the exam“just in case” the exact same exam will be
used in their assessment. Midn 1cl Briones then said that he never saw any relation from the QMR and his
reviewer, that is why he disregarded it, and just reviewed for the exam that Sunday night. The board then
asked Midn 1cl Briones why he showed his conversation with Pinggoy when C/M Bacasdoon asked for the
reviewers he used for the folded piece of paper. Midn 1cl Briones said “kasi ang hiningi niya naman is
‘yung reviewer ko.”
During the formal investigation, the board had obtained the QMR answer sheet that was used by
Midn 1cl Briones and cross checked it with the QMR Midn 1cl Briones had obtained back in 10 January
2020 that is exactly the same from the QMR given by Pinggoy. The board had noticed that the answer sheet
of Midn 1cl Briones and the given QMR match at least 70%, with multiple consecutive numbers matching.
The board asked Midn 1cl Briones how he would define the word reviewer, Midn 1cl Briones replied “as a
whole, set of questions about the topic.” The board then asked how he defines the word leakage. Midn 1cl
Briones replied “possible na lalabas, answer.” When the board asked, basing on how he defined the terms,
what did he obtain, Midn 1cl Briones said leakage but used it as a reviewer. Midn 1cl Briones claimed that
he never used the QMR sheet as leakage since he only cross checked it with the reviewer given to them so
he may get the specific range of number that may come out during their assessment, stating that his only
intention has to have a hint of the assessment.
During the entire course of the trial of Midn 1cl Briones, midshipman has shown sheer reluctance to
what he had violated, repudiating the Honor Code and its definition, using technicalities to his advantage.
Midn 1cl Briones had defined the terms snappy to be cheating and not getting caught, and sharing of
blessings to be sharing the leakage, if what he had found was the same with the assessment. Midshipman has
not shown remorse nor acceptance regardless having the board explain to him his violation which is the act
of obtaining the leakage.
After the discussion, the board asked Midn 1cl Briones, Philip Dennis L. of the two basic questions
which is; if he intends to deceive and if he intends to take undue advantage. The Presiding Officer asked the
accused, “Did you intend to deceive?” Midn 1cl Briones said, “No, kasi wala akong niloko, kasi ‘di ko alam
na kung ano ‘yung nasa leakage ‘yun din ‘yung lalabas, na ‘yung na obtain ko na QMR ay ‘yun na rin
‘yung lalabas.”After that, Midn 1cl Briones was asked, “Did you intend to take advantage?” He replied,
“No, kasi wala akong na-gain na advantage by obtaining the leakage, ‘di ko naman nagamit.” Lastly the
board asked, “How do you plead your case? Guilty or Not Guilty.” he replied “Not Guilty, kasi kahit
naka-obtain ako ng leakage ‘di naman ako naka-gain ng advantage.”
By signing below, I declare that all the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Signed:

___________________________
BRIONES, PHILIP DENNIS L.
Midn 1cl “D” Coy
Accused
V. CONCLUSION
The Presiding Officer together with the Honor Board representatives present during the formal
investigation concluded that the case of Midn 1cl Briones, Philip Dennis is “GUILTY” of violating the
second tenet of the Honor Code which is “CHEATING” due to the following reasons:
The following are the points of the case:

1. SECTION V. SECOND TENET: CHEATING

Midshipmen violate the Honor Code by cheating if they fraudulently act out of self interest
or assist another to do so with the intent of gaining or giving unfair advantages.
Midshipman had obtained the QMR with the intent of using it to get hints for the assessment, with
the hope that it may come out during the course of their assessment. Stating “dinownload ko kasi
baka magamit ko, baka ‘yun ‘yung lumabas.”

2. PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF ACADEMIC WORK

2. Discussion of Assignments
Furthermore, giving or asking hints from other sections is considered cheating.
Midshipman had contacted an alumnus, Ens. Pinggoy, a midshipman who also took the assessment
last 2019. Midn 1cl Briones asked for hints during his conversation with Pinggoy, stating “May
pangutana ra unta ko about sa assessment.” and when Pinggoy gave him the picture of the leakage
Midn 1cl Briones confirmed by saying “Mao na ning answer sa written?” then Pinggoy affirmed
yes.

3. Midshipman is fully aware of the QMR being a leakage.

Midn 1cl Briones had defined the QMR as a leakage. However, he is reluctant to view it as a
leakage with his intention of using it. Midshipman claims that his intention of using the leaked QMR
sheet is to only figure out a pattern in the provided reviewer with 7,000 questions to find the specific
range he needs to study for the assessment.

4. Midshipman has shown cheating tendencies during the course of his investigation.
Midn 1cl Briones had asked Pinggoy if they were being watched, and had acclaimed Pinggoy
saying he is snappy for cheating and getting away with it. Midn 1cl Briones also stated that if he had
found a pattern with the use of the leaked QMR, he would share it to his classmates, defining the act
to be sharing of blessings. Attached herewith is a file of the tabulated answers, a comparison of the
exact QMR sheet of 1cl Briones and the QMR answers he has in possession.
5. Midshipman’s reluctance to his violation.
Midn 1cl Briones had deliberately refused every evidence and statement of the board and
stuck with his own definition. Midshipman is using technicalities stating “kahit na obtain ko ang
leakage, hindi ‘yun cheating kasi ‘di ko naman ginamit at ‘di ako naka-lamang, may reviewer rin
naman sila.”.

6. Midshipman’s stand up for himself that he wasn’t able to gain or give unfair advantages.
The fact that Midn 1cl Briones may fail in his attempt to cheat, does not exonerate him.
“Intent” does not refer to the intent to violate the Honor Code, but intent to commit the act itself.
Midshipmen who have the intent to cheat and commit any act in the furtherance of that intent, may
have violated the Honor Code.
VI. RECOMMENDATION

The board therefore recommends the case of Midn 1cl Briones, Philip Dennis L. GUILTY for
TERMINATION.

________________________________
DECHACA, DEMI ANNE B
Midwn 1cl “C” Coy
Presiding Officer
 _______________________ ________________________
CASTILLO, PATRICK JOHN E AÑOSA, JAY MARK D
Midn 1cl “A” Coy Midn 3cl “A” Coy
Honor Committee Member Honor Committee Member

_________________________ ________________________
TRINIDAD, MARC ANGELO B BUSTOS, JOSHUA SIMON
Midn 1cl “C” Coy Midn 3cl “C” Coy
Honor Committee Member Honor Committee Member

_______________________ __________________________
CABALO, MICHAEL JOHN F RICAMORA, BLESSEE GRACE M
Midn 1cl “B” Coy Midwn 3cl “C” Coy
Honor Committee Member Honor Committee Member

_________________________ ________________________
BALBIDO, LAWRENZ KEITH M LABASTIDA, JOHN ALDRICK G
Midn 1cl “B” Coy Midn 3cl “C” Coy
Honor Committee Member Honor Committee Member

____________________________ ________________________
DOMALAON, VIVIENNE PATRICE I GUEVARRA, JASTHER C
Midwn 3cl “C” Coy Midn 3cl “B” Coy
Honor Committee Member Honor Committee Member

_________________________
ENRIQUEZ, EMMANUEL L
Midn 3cl “D” Coy
Case Officer
 REVIEWED BY:

______________________________
SAVILLA, NEM ALEC
Midn 1cl “B” Coy
Honor Board Vice Chairman

______________________________
CURAMING, CILESE LEONARD
Midn 1cl “D” Coy
Honor Board Chairman

APPROVED/DISAPPROVED:

___________________________________
CAPT GERLO L ELCHICO PN (RET)
Director, Department of Midshipmen Affairs