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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No, 7078

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Chiropractic is a health care profession which focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention
of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system with special emphasis on the spine. It is
hypothesized that the general health of an individual is affected by these disorders via the
nervous system!, Chiropractors also known as chiropractic physicians are individuals who
specialize in the treatment of patients with health problems that involve the muscolo-skeletal
system.

This method of health care is popular and well-established in USA, Canada and Australia. It is
also present to a lesser extent in other countries, such as the Philippines. At present, there are
individuals who are practicing chiropractics in the Philippines, however, we do not have any
agency that regulates this practice.

This proposed measure aims to professionalize the chiropractic profession by creating a

Chiropractic Board of Examiners which would regulate the chiropractic profession to ensure the

excellent, competitive, and accountable practice of chiropractic. The proposed measure seeks to
protect not only the clients of chiropractic physicians but also the practitioners as well as the
credibility of their profession.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Representative
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List

* Data retrieved from Nelson CF, Lawrence DJ, Triano J, Bronfort G, Perle SM, Metz RD, Hegetschweiler K, LaBrot T
(2005). "Chiropractic as spine care: a model for the profession”



REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 70 7 8

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO.

AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Chiropractic Act of 2018."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — In recognition of the importance and role of

chiropractors in nation-building and development, it shall be the policy of the State to promote
and recognize the significance of the chiropractic profession.

SEC. 3. Creation and Composition of Board. — There is hereby created a Professional
Regulatory Board of Chiropractic Examiners, hereinafter called the Board, a collegial body
under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC), hereinafter referred to as the Commission, which shall be composed of five (5) members,
four (4) of which are licensed chiropractic physicians who have met the requirements of this Act
and have practiced chiropractic in the country for more than two (2) years. One member of the
board shall be a person with no direct financial interest in the health care industry. They shall be
appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of three (3) enemies for each position.
‘The Board shall be organized not later than sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 4. Qualifications of the Chairperson and the Members of the Professional
Regulatory Board of Chiropractic Examiners. ~ The Chairperson and Members of the Board
shall, at the time of their appointment and for the course of their term, possess the following
qualifications:

(a) A natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines;

(b) At least thirty-five (35) years of age;

(c) Possess good moral character;

(d) Have at least five (5) years of practice in chiropractic care in a duly recognized
institution, clinic, or center, as well as at least two (2) years of teaching experience in
the field of chiropractic care;

(e) Be a registered and licensed chiropractor, except in the case of the first members of
the Board who shall automatically be conferred a valid certificate of registration and a
valid professional identification card in chiropractic upon appointment to the Board;

(Is not an officer, nor hold any position other than being a member, of the integrated
and accredited national organization of chiropractors; and
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(g) Shall not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.

SEC. 5. Term of Office. — The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three
(3) years or until their successors shall have been appointed and duly qualified. Each member of
the Board may be reappointed for one (1) full term of three (3) years. The first members of the
Board shall hold office for the following terms: the Chairperson for three (3) years; one member
for two (2) years; and the other member for one (1) year, which shall be specified in their
respective appointments. Any vacancy occurring within the term of a member shall be filled for
the unexpired portion of the term only. Each member of the Board shall qualify by taking the
proper oath prior to the performance of his/her duties.

SEC. 6. Powers and Duties. — The Board shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) Administer and implement the provisions of this Act and promulgate as well as revise
or update, as necessary, rules and regulations, resolutions and guidelines hereto:
Provided, That the policies, resolutions, rules and regulations issued or promulgated
by the Board shall be subject to review and approval of the Commission;

(b) Supervise and monitor the registration, licensure and practice of chiropractors in the
Philippines;

(c) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

(d) Issue, and upon compliance with due process requirements suspend or revoke, and/or
reinstate, the certificate of registration and professional identification card for
chiropractors;

(e) Adopt an official seal of the Board;

() Monitor the conditions and circumstances affecting the practice of chiropractic care
in the Philippines and adopt such measures as may be deemed lawful and proper for
the enhancement and maintenance of high professional, ethical and technical
standards of the profession;

(g) Issue permits to and exercise visitorial powers over agencies, institutions,
associations, corporations and partnerships to verify that the persons practicing
chiropractic care therein are chiropractors with valid certificates of registration and
valid professional identification cards, and that they possess the necessary
accreditation, skills and/or facilities to competently carrying out their functions;

(h) Assist the Commission in the formulation and implementation of the guidelines on
continuing professional education for chiropractors:

(i) Ensure, in coordination with the CHED, that all educational institutions offering the
course/program of chiropractic care strictly comply with the policies, standards and
requirements prescribed by CHED for such course/program, especially in the areas of
administration, curriculum, faculty, library and facilities;

(@) Prepare, adopt, issue and amend, in consultation with CHED, syllabi for the licensure
examination subjects;

(k) Investigate and, when warranted, hear administrative cases involving violations of
this Act, its implementing rules and regulations as hereinafter promulgated, and any
applicable code of ethics and/or code of professional standards. For this purpose, it

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may issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to secure the
appearances of witnesses and the production of documents in connection therewith:
Provided, That the Board’s decision, resolution or orders rendered in administrative
cases shall be subject to review only on appeal; and

(D) Perform such other functions and duties as may be lawfully delegated to it, or as it
may deem necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act.

SEC. 7. Compensation and Allowances. — The Chairperson and Members of the Board
shall receive the same compensation and allowances as those received by the chairperson and
Members of the existing regulatory boards under the Commission, as provided in the charter of
the Commission and in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Removal or Suspension of Members of the Professional Regulatory Board of
Chiropractic Examiners. — Any member of the Board may, upon the recommendation of the
Commission upon observance of due process and completion of the proper investigation, be
suspended or removed by the President from office for cause, such as gross neglect of duty,
incompetence, malpractice, behavior unbecoming of a chiropractic professional, immorality,
unethical or dishonorable conduct, final conviction of any crime involving moral turpitude, any
act of graft and corruption, and participation in the manipulation of or any dishonesty relative to
the licensure examinations and/or the registration process.

SEC. 9. Administrative Supervision over the Board, Custodian of its Records,
Secretariat and Support Services. — The Board shall be under the administrative supervision and
control of the Commission. All records of the Board, including documents relative to the
licensure examinations as well as administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the
Board, shall be kept in the custody of the Commission. The Commission shall designate the
Secretary of the Board and shall provide the Secretariat with necessary support services to
effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 10. Examinations Required. — All applicants for registration to practice
chiropractic care shall be required to pass a licensure examination for chiropractors to be
conducted by the Board in such places and dates, and subject to such requirements, prescribed by
the Commission.

SEC. 11. Qualifications of Applicants for Licensure Examination for Chiropractors —
Any person may apply to take the examination for registration and licensure as a chiropractor
after furnishing evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant:
(a) is a Filipino citizen, a permanent resident, or a citizen of a foreign country which
extends reciprocity to the Philippines relative to the practice of the profession;

(b) has a high school education or its equivalent;

(c) has successfully completed at least two academic years of study in a college of liberal
arts or sciences or has engaged in the active licensed practice of chiropractic for three
of the four years preceding the filing of the application;

(@) isa graduate of a school or college of chiropractic that:
(1) is accredited by or a candidate for accreditation by an accrediting agency
recognized by the board; or


(2) if an accrediting agency under (1) of this paragraph does not exist, requires the
completion of a minimum of 4,000 hours of formal education and training in
order to graduate, including

(i) 150 hours of chiropractic philosophy or principles;

(i) 1200 hours of basic sciences, including anatomy, chemistry,
physiology, and pathology;

(iii) 1400 hours of preclinical technique, including diagnosis, chiropractic
technique, and x-rays; and

(iv) 700 hours of clinical training;
(©) completes 120 hours of formal training in physiological therapeutics;
(f) is of good moral character; and

(g) has not been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude.

SEC. 12. Licensure by credentials. — The board may issue a license by credentials to an
applicant who pays the appropriate fee and presents satisfactory proof that the applicant:
(a) is a graduate of a school or college of chiropractic that ~
(1) is accredited by or a candidate for accreditation by an accrediting agency
recognized by the board; or

(2) if an accrediting agency under (a) of this paragraph does not exist, requires the
completion of a minimum of 4,000 hours of formal education and training in
order to graduate, including:

(i) 150 hours of chiropractic philosophy or principles;

(ii) 1,200 hours of basic sciences, including anatomy, chemistry, physiology,
and pathology;

1,400 hours of preclinical technique, including diagnosis, chiropractic
technique, and x-rays; and

(iv) 700 hours of clinical training;

(b) has passed an examination approved by the board that is designed to test the
applicant's knowledge of the laws governing the practice of chiropractic and the
regulations adopted under those laws; and

(c) has completed 120 hours of formal training in physiological therapeutics or has
passed, to the satisfaction of the board, a physiological therapeutics examination as
may be required by the board.

SEC. 13. Examination. —
(a) Examinations for a license to practice chiropractic may be held in the time and
manner fixed by the board.

(b) The examination may include practical demonstration and oral and written
examination in those subjects usually taught in accredited chiropractic schools.

(©) A general average rating of 75 percent is a passing grade on the examination.


(4) An applicant may take a reexamination within one year after failing the examination.

The Board shall submit to the Commission an official report detailing the ratings
obtained by each examinee within ten (10) calendar days after the examination, unless such
period is extended for just cause.

SEC. 14. Oath of Chiropractors ~ All successful examinees qualified for registration and
all qualified applicants for registration without examination shall be required to take an oath to
uphold the profession before any member of the Board or any officer of the Commission
authorized to administer oaths, prior to entering into the practice of chiropractics in the
Philippines.

SEC. 15. Issuance of Certificates of Registration and Professional Identification Card.
— A certificate of registration and professional identification card shall be issued to all successful
examinees and registrants without examination upon compliance with all the legal requirements,
including payment of fees, prescribed by the Commission. The certificate of registration shall
bear the signature of the Chairperson of the Commission and Members of the Board, indicating
that the person named therein is entitled to practice the profession with all the privileges and
concomitant responsibilities appurtenant thereto. The said certificate shall remain in full force
and effect until suspended or revoked in accordance with this Act. A professional identification
card bearing the registration number, date of issuance and validity term of three years, duly
signed by the Chairperson of the Commission, shall likewise be issued to every registrant who
has paid the prescribed registration fee. Upon expiration of the professional identification card,
the chiropractors may renew the same upon proof of compliance with continuing education
requirements prescribed by the Board and/or Commission.

SEC. 16. Disclosure of Registration Information. — The chiropractor shall be required to
indicate his/her registration and professional identification card number and date of issuance, the
duration of validity, including the professional tax receipt number on each document signed,
used or issued in connection with the practice of his/her profession.

SEC. 17. Non-issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification
Card, — The Board shall not register nor issue a certificate of registration or professional
identification card to any person convicted of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude, has
been found guilty by a judicial or other duly constituted tribunal of immoral or dishonorable
conduct, or has been medically diagnosed to be of unsound mind. In the event of non-issuance of
the certificate for any reason, the Board shall furnish the applicant a written statement setting
forth the reasons for such denial, which statement shall be incorporated to the records of the
Board.

SEC. 18. Practice Through Special Temporary Permit. — Special temporary permits
may be issued by the Board, subject to the approval by the Commission and payment of
appropriate fees, to the following persons:

(1) Licensed chiropractors from foreign countries who are internationally acknowledged
specialists or outstanding experts in chiropractic care, provided that their services are
important and necessary either due to the lack or inadequacy of available local
specialists/experts or in recognition of their potential contribution to the
promotion/advancement of chiropractic care through transfer of technology;

(2) Licensed chiropractors from foreign countries whose services shall be free and
offered exclusively to indigent patients in a particular hospital, center or clinic; and

(3) Licensed chiropractors from foreign countries employed as exchange professors to
teach chiropractic care in schools, colleges, universities offering chiropractic
programs.


The permit shall detail the conditions thereof which shall, among other things, include the
effectivity period of not more than one (1) year subject to renewal, and the specific place of
practice such as the clinic, hospital, center, school, college, university offering the course of
chiropractic care. The Board, subject to the approval by the Commission, shall prescribe rules
and regulations on the implementation of this particular section.

SEC. 19. Suspension or Revocation of Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card or Cancellation of a Special Temporary Permit. —'The Board shall have the
power, after notice and hearing, to suspend or revoke the certificate of registration and
professional identification card or to cancel special temporary permits granted pursuant to this
‘Act on any ground set forth in the instances hereunder:

(a) Procurement of a certificate of registration and/or professional identification card, or

special temporary permit by fraud or deceit;

(b) Allowing an unqualified person to advertise or to practice the profession by using
one’s certificate of registration or professional identification card or special
temporary permit;

(©) Violating or conspiring to violate any of the provisions of this Act, its implementing
rules and regulations, the code of ethies or code of professional standards
promulgated hereinafter by the Board

() Manifest physical or mental incompetence to render chiropractic services with
reasonable skill and safety to his/her clients/patients;

(e) Professional misconduct or negligence in the performance of duties as a chiropractor;
and

() Engaging in the practice of the profession during the period of one’s suspension.

SEC. 20. Reinstatement. — A chiropractor whose certificate of registration has been
revoked may apply to the Board for reinstatement at any time after two (2) years from the date of
revocation of said certificate. The application shall be in writing and shall conform to
requirements hereinafter prescribed by the Board. No certificate of registration or professional
identification card shall be reinstated unless the Board is satisfied that a good cause exists to
warrant such reinstatement.

Issuance of a new certificate of registration or professional identification card, or special
temporary permit in lieu of one that has been lost, destroyed or mutilated shall be subject to
applicable rules prescribed by the Commission.

SEC. 21. Appeal from Judgment. ~The decision of the Board shall ipso facto become
final fifteen (15) days from receipt of the decision by the respondent unless an appeal has been
filed with the Commission within the same period. The Commission’s decision on appeal may be
further appealed before the Court of Appeals within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof.

SEC. 22. Rights of the Respondent, — The respondent chiropractor shall have the right to
be represented by counsel at all stages of the proceedings as well as to speedy disposition of
his/her case. He/she shall have the right to confront witnesses against him/her in addition to such
other rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

SEC. 23. Integration of the Profession. — The professional practice of chiropractic shall
be integrated into one (1) national professional organization of chiropractic professionals which
shall be duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Board,
subject to approval by the Commission, shall accredit the said organization as the one and only

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‘Accredited and Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of registered chiropractic
professionals. All chiropractic professionals whose names appear in the Registry Book of
Chiropractic Profession shall ipso facto or automatically become members thereof and shall
receive all the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto upon payment of AIPO membership
fees and dues.

Membership in the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) shall not be a
bar to membership in other organizations of chiropractic profession.

SEC. 24. Foreign Reciprocity. ~ No foreign chiropractic professional shall be given a
certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification card or be entitled
to any of the privileges under this Act unless the country of which the foreign chiropractic
professional is a subject or citizen specifically permits Filipino chiropractic professionals to
practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of said country or
state.

SEC. 25. Prohibited Acts. — No person shall:

(a) Engage in the professional practice of chiropractic care nor represent himself? herself
as a professional practicing chiropractor without a valid certificate of
registration/valid professional identification card, or a valid special temporary permit
granted by the Board pursuant to this Act;

(b) Represent himself/ herself to be a licensed and authorized practicing chiropractor
during the time that his/her certificate of registration has been suspended or revoked
or professional identification card without being renewed, or special temporary
permit cancelled:

(c) Allow any other person to use his/her certificate of registration and professional
identification card or special temporary permit for any purpose, regardless of whether
such act actually enables the unqualified individual to engage in the practice of
chiropractic;

(A) Use, exhibit and/or misrepresent as his/her own the certificate of registration and/or
professional identification card or special temporary permit of another, and

(©) Give any false, inaccurate, misleading or incomplete information to the Board in
order to obtain a certificate of registration or professional identification card or
special temporary permit

No corporation, partnership, association or entity shall operate a chiropractic office,
center, clinic, or otherwise engage in the practice or allow the practice of chiropractic within its
premises, without securing a permit therefore from the Board. Such permit shalll be issued only
after the Board is satisfied that such establishment is competently staffed by a chiropractor and
equipped with sufficient and adequate chiropractic-related instruments and facilities.

A violation of any provision of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations shall be
penalized accordingly.

SEC. 26. Penalties. — Any person who violates any provision of this Act or its
implementing rules and regulations shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6)
months but not more than three (3) years, or a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,
000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), or both, at the
discretion of the Court.


SEC. 27. Injunction. — The Board may initiate action to enjoin, restrain, and/or prosecute
any individual, corporation, association, partnership or entity engaging in the practice of
chiropractics in violation of this Act.

SEC. 28. Funding Provision. — The Chairperson of the Commission shall immediately
hereinafter include in the Commission’s programs the prompt implementation of this Act,
funding of which shall be provided for in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 29. Enforcement, ~ It shall be the duty of all duly constituted law enforcement
agencies and officers of national, provincial, city or municipal governments to uphold and
enforce the provisions of this Act and to investigate and prosecute or cause the investigation and
prosecution of any person violating the same.

SEC. 30. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within ninety (90) days after the
constitution of the Board, it shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations,
subject to approval of the Commission, to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 31. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held invalid by a
competent court, any other provision not affected thereby shall continue to be valid and effective.

SEC. 32. Repealing Clause. — Any laws, presidential decrees, executive orders and
letters of instruction which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 33. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,