VSU legal director, assistant top national data privacy certification exam

Two legal minds on campus demonstrated their expertise in responsible data governance by earning the highest scores in the recently concluded Organization of Data Privacy Professionals Inc. (ODPP) Bronze Badge Certification Examination last February 23-27, 2026 in the City of Carmona, Cavite.

Atty. Karen Abegail Monteron, Director of Legal Affairs and Services, clinched the top spot with a near-perfect rating of 99%. 

Joining her at the top is Atty. Riza Therese P. Manongsong, Legal Assistant III, who followed closely at top 2 with a score of 98%.

The program, “Season 1- Batch 1: Data Privacy Tactical Course for Data Protection Officers,” is an intensive five-day comprehensive course measuring their knowledge of the Data Privacy Act, the role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO), and organizational accountability.

The course allowed participants to engage in structured discussions, practical exercises, and scenario-based activities, concluding with an examination testing participants’ competence, determination, and readiness to apply data privacy principles in real-world contexts. 

Bridging the gap between law and practice

In an interview, Atty. Manongsong emphasized the importance of educating our university personnel about the Data Privacy Act, and noting how the program sessions translated legal jargon into layman’s terms. 

“By equipping our personnel with this knowledge, we can guarantee the protection of data processed in the university. We must recognize that management of data is a high-stake responsibility as lapses might cause legal consequences that the institution cannot afford to take lightly. It is also suggested to lessen the use or translate legal jargon into a language that can easily be understood by anyone,” she said. 

She added that we can better educate personnel on the Data Privacy Act by conveying its provisions in simple terms.

Atty. Monteron shared the same sentiment, highlighting VSU’s own Data Privacy and Freedom of Information (FOI) Services. 

“Our legal office stands ready to provide assistance to ensure VSU upholds high standards of confidentiality,” she assured the VSU community in a statement. 

Ensuring data integrity at VSU

This recognition highlights VSU’s commitment to data security and integrity.

As the university continues its digital transformation, where volumes of data including students, faculty, and research information are available, having certified Data Protection Officers spearheading the legal department guarantees that VSU is abiding by national and international privacy regulations.

A symbol of strong foundational expertise in the Data Privacy Act, the ODPP bronze badge proves that holders not only attended the workshop, but have exemplified excellence in safeguarding information in digital spaces.

The training and examination was administered by the Organization of Data Privacy Professionals Inc. (ODPP), a SEC-registered, nonprofit organization focusing on professionalizing data privacy practice in the Philippines.

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and; SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. 

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