Section 15. Penalties for Manipulation and Other Corrupt Practices in the Conduct of Professional Examinations. —

1. Any person who manipulates or rigs licensure examination results, secretly informs or makes known licensure examination questions prior to the conduct of the examination or tampers with the grades in professional licensure examinations shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day to not more than twelve (12) years or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or both such imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court;

2. In case the offender is an officer or employee of the Commission or a member of the regulatory board, he/she shall be removed from office and shall suffer the penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification from public office in addition to the penalties prescribed in the preceding section of this Act;

3. The penalty of imprisonment ranging from four (4) years and one (1) day to six (6) years or a fine ranging from Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) to not more than Forty-nine thousand pesos (P49,000.00), or both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon the accomplices. The penalty of imprisonment ranging from two (2) years and one (1) day to four (4) years or a fine ranging from Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to not more than Nineteen thousand pesos (P19,000.00), or both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon the accessories.