Report: PRC exec walks out of pharmacists' oath-taking over skimpy attires

A walkout over alleged violations of the dress code marred the oath-taking of new pharmacists of a Catholic university in Iloilo City Thursday, an Iloilo-based news site reported Saturday.

Professional Regulation Commission Western Visayas head Lily Ann Baldago was not amused with the “scandalous clothes” worn by the pharmacy board passers of University of San Agustin.

“I don’t regret my actions. They refused to follow the prescribed dress code,” Baldago was quoted by Iloilo-based The Daily Guardian as saying, referring to some of the oath-takers wore skimpy mini-skirts to the occasion.

"We had similar cases in the past but this is the first time that the students were really in a ‘gross’ outfit,” she added.

Because of this, she said there was no point in conducting the oath-taking since some of the pharmacists refused to give dignity to the occasion.

“It’s my responsibility to implement the protocol of PRC. I have been authorized,” she said.

The report said the walkout shocked the board passers and their parents.

“If they want, they can always ask for another schedule for a new ceremony,” Baldago said.

However, the report noted the oath-taking is a formality and will not affect their profession as pharmacists.

The report quoted Baldago as saying that while the male board passers were dressed properly, more than 10 female passers wore revealing outfits.

She added she arrived one hour before the event and advised the pharmacy board exam passers to change their outfits, but they did not heed her.

The report also said the organizer confirmed the students had been informed of the dress code ahead of the event.

Under the dress code, males are to wear polo or barong, with denim pants, short pants, rubber shoes and sandals banned. Females could wear semi-formal, Sunday dress or Filipiniana, and not sleeveless, blouses, or spaghetti straps.

Skirts should not be higher than two inches above knee level, the Daily Guardian report said.

Yet, Baldago said some of the female oath-takers wore skirts "five to six inches above the knee with which the gentlemen would enjoy seeing them."

However, the report also cited information the oath-takers and their parents may file a formal complaint against Baldago with the PRC main office in Manila.

For her part, Baldago said she is prepared to justify her actions.

“(I)t is not very difficult to explain my side.  What I did was just to implement the proper rules and regulations especially the dress code,” she said. — LBG, GMA News