FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SEN,A.1A 
S. No. ;ecs37 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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There is presently no integrated medical professional organization in the country. 
There exists the Philippine Medical Association, Inc. (PMA) which is an organization of 
doctors licensed to practice medicine in the Philippines. 
The PMA is one of the most prestigious organizations in the Philippines. It is the 
umbrella organization of the medical profession of the country and is duly registered with . 
the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock, non-profit organization and is 
the mother association of all medical organizations in the Philippines. The PMA brings 
together the entire medical profession under one roof to serve as an authoritative source 
of infomlation on health, disease and medical practice. It is responsible for the training of 
specialists through its Specialty Societies and also for sustained excellent quality 
healthcare delivery through its continuing medical education and formulation of clinical 
practices, guidelines. 
The PMA has eight specialty divisions such as Pathology, Radiology, 
Anesthesiology, Surgery, Physicians, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Family 
Medicine. There are presently 117 Component Societies, which is the basic unit of the 
Association, equitably distributed in all regions of the country. 
There is no other medical organization in the country that possesses the breadth, 
composition, membership and nationwide coverage of the PMA. In almost all matters 
affecting health or the medical profession, the government seeks the advice of the PMA. 
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This bilJ seeks to address the medical profession's lack of integration by 
providing for the integration of the Philippine Medical Association. 
~'-- 4lt;,v4.v-- J,,;t'.f.J 
,QI/Y' MIRIAM DEF~'<SOR sA'NTL,#rO 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENAIE 
S,No. 2a37 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (PMA) AS 
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THE INTEGRATED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION OF THE 
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PHILIPPINES 
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Be 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 "Integrated Medical 
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Professional Organization Act." 
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SECTION. 2. Declaration of Policy, - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
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State to have an institutionalized organization of medical professionals that will serve as 
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a paliner of the government in the improvement of the health care delivery system in the 
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country. It is also declared as policy of the State to rid the medical profession of so called 
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misfits found to be negligent in practice of the medical profession, 
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SECTION 3, Membership, - All physicians duly registered by the Professional 
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Regulations Commission shall become members of the Philippine Medical Association, 
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Inc, Membership in good standing of the PMA shall be a condition precedent for his 
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renewal of license and for the continuous practice of medicine, 
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SECTION 4, Organization. - The organizational structure of the PMA, including 
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the specialty divisions, specialty and sub-specialty societies and the component medical 
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societies and as a non-stock, non-profit corporation duly registered with the Securities 
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and Exchange Commission shall be retained. 
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SECTION 5. Rules and Regulations. - The Philippine Medical Association shall 
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prescribe rules and regulations to implement the integration of the medical profession 
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including the various specialty divisions, the specialty and subspecialty societies and their 
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training program, and the component and affiliate medical societies. 
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SECTION 6. Complaints. -
the Philippine Medical Association shall hear 
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complaints against its members. The Philippine Medical Association shall prescribe its 
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rules to govern the conduct of its proceedings and the rules of its procedures. The rules 
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shall be liberally construed and the technical rules of procedure on evidence shall not be 
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strictly applied. 
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SECTION 7. Grounds for filing complaint. - A person may file a verified 
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complaint before the PMA against any of its members based on the following grounds: 
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(A) 
(B) 
(C) 
(D) 
(E) 
(F) 
(G) 
(H) 
(I) 
(J) 
Gross negligence, ignorance or incompetence in the practice of 
his/her profession resulting to death, physical injury to a person 
Conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal 
offense involving moral turpitude; 
Immoral or dishonorable conduct; 
Insanity 
Fraud in the acquisition of the certificate of registration, and 
professional license or renewal thereof; 
Addiction to alcoholic beverages or to any habit-forming drug 
rendering him or her incompetent to practice his or her profession; 
False or extravagant or unethical advertisement 
Performing or 'tiding in any criminal abortion; 
Knowingly issuing any false medical certificate; 
Issuing any statement or spreading any news or humor which is 
derogatory to the character and reputation of another physician 
without justifiable motive; 
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(K) 
(L) 
Aiding or acting as a dummy of unqualified or unregistered person 
to practice medicine; and 
Violation of the Code of Ethics of the PMA. 
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SECTION 8. Penalties. -
The Philippine Medical Association may impose 
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penalties of reprimand, suspension or ·expulsion. All cases filed or pending under this act 
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shall not be discussed or taken in any forum until after the same shall have been decided 
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with finality. 
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SECTION 9. Implementing Rules. - The Philippine Medical Association shall 
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promulgate the implementing rules and guidelines for this Act within 60 days after its 
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enactment. 
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SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional or not valid, other provisions not affected herein shall remain in full 
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force and effect. 
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SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. 
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Provisions on the integration of 
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professionals/professions in the professional regulatory laws and all provisions of laws, 
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decrees, order, mle and regulations tliat are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed 
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and/or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 12. Effectivity. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in any major leading newspaper of national 
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circulation, which ever is earlier. 
Approved, 
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