Srnntl' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUSLIC) 
teff,;t" 'of the: ~rrn"1af" 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'\3 
AUG 15 A8 :41 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 12 9 4 
INTRODUCED BY SEN, JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 2382 or "The Medical Act of 1959", as amended by Republic 
Act Nos. 4224 and 5946 has been the foundation of the medical profession in the 
country for the longest time. However, the changing times bring about changing 
demands and developing technologies that require a law that is more appropriate 
and responsive to the current circumstances. 
The Physician's Act of 2013 promotes the professional services of the physicians 
by ensuring the efficiency and responsiveness of the different aspects of the 
medical profession: medical education including internship training; licensure 
examination and registration of physicians; practice of medicine; integration in 
one Accredited Professional Organization; and promotion of competence, moral 
values and professional attitude. 
We entrust our health and our lives to our doctors and it is only proper that we 
equip them with the legislation that will both promote their profession and protect 
their rights. 
This measure was submitted by the Committees on Civil Service and 
Government Reorganization; Education, Culture and Sports; and Finance during 
the Fifteenth Congress but was unfortunately not passed into law. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
GOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 12 9 4 
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,IiOff", ,,( tll< ;:;,rr.tA'f 
'13 
AUG 15 AS:41 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE EDUCATION AND LICENSURE OF PHYSICIANS AND 
THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 2382, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
1 
ARTICLE I 
2 
GENERAL PROVISION 
3 
4 
5 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Physicians' Act of 2013". 
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7 
8 
SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of 
9 
physicians in the preservation, maintenance, safeguard, cure and enhancement 
10 
of life, health and general welfare of the citizenry. 
Physicians' professional 
11 
services shall, therefore, be promoted as a regular component of the total health 
12 
care system. 
13 
14 
15 
SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act provides for and shall govern the: 
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17 
a. Standardization, upgrading and regulation of the medical education 
18 
including internship training; 
19 
20 
b. Administration of the medical licensure examination, licensure and 
21 
registration of the physicians; 
22 
23 
c. Supervision, control and regulation of the practice of medicine; 
24 
25 
d. Integration of the professi.qn. under one national Accredited Professional 
26 
Organization (APO) of Physicians; and, 
27 
28 
e. Promotion of competence, moral values and professional attitude of 
29 
physiCians through the integrated national APO of Physicians, 
30 
31 
1 


1 
SEC. 4. Enforcement. - For the purpose of implementing the provisions of this 
2 
Act, there shall be created the following: Council of Medical- Education, 
3 
hereinafter referred to as the Council, and the Professional Regulatory Board of 
4 
Medicine, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the Professional Regulation 
5 
Commission (PRC), hereinafter referred to as the Commission. 
6 
7 
8 
ARTICLE I 
9 
GENERAL PROVISION 
10 
11 
12 
SEC. 5. 
Composition of the Council of Medical Education. - The Council of 
13 
Medical Education shall be composed of the following: 
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15 
(a) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) or his 
16 
duly authorized representative as chairperson; 
17 
18 
(b) The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) or his duly authorized 
19 
representative as member; 
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21 
(c) The Chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine or his 
22 
duly authorized representative as member; 
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24 
(d) The President of the integrated national Accredited Professional 
25 
Organization (APO) of PhYSicians or his duly authorized representative as 
26 
member; 
27 
28 
(e) The President of the Association of the Philippine Medical Schools 
29 
(APMS) or his duly authorized representative as member; 
30 
31 
(f) The President of the Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) or his duly 
32 
authorized representative as member; and, 
33 
34 
(g) The Dean of the National Teacher'S Training Center, University of the 
35 
Philippines - Manila or his duly authorized representative as member. 
36 
37 
The Chairperson and members of the Council shall hold office during their 
38 
incumbency in the respective institutions that they represent. 
39 
40 
The Council, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, shall appOint a 
41 
technical panel composed of seven (7) outstanding members of the academe 
42 
and/or the profession whose responsibility is to assist the Council in carrying out 
43 
its functions and powers. 
44 
45 
46 
SEC. 6. Functions and Duties. - The Council shall have the following functions 
47 
and duties: 
48 
49 
(a) To determine the requirements for admission into a recognized college 
50 
of medicine. Considering the fact that medicine is a service-oriented 
51 
profession, such criteria should not be limited to academic qualifications 
52 
but should also include screening for aptitude, attitude and inter-personal 
53 
skills necessary to ensure compassionate care for patients as well as 
54 
psychological stability and fitness to withstand the rigors of studying 
55 
medicine; 
56 
2 


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1 
(b) To determine the minimum requirements for physical facilities of colleges 
2 
of medicine, to wit: buildings including hospitals, equipment and 
3 
supplies, apparatus, instruments, appliances, laboratories and bed 
4 
capacity for instruction purposes, operating and delivery rooms, facilities 
5 
for out-patient services and others used for didactic and practical 
6 
instruction in accordance with modern trends; 
7 
8 
(c) 
To determine the minimum number and the standard qualifications of 
9 
teaching personnel, including student-teacher ratio; 
10 
11 
(d) To determine the minimum required curriculum including internship 
12 
leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine; 
13 
14 
(e) To authorize the implementation of an acceptable innovative medical 
15 
curriculum(strategy in a medical school that has the appropriate faculty 
16 
expertise and suitable teaching and clinical practicum resources 
17 
available. Such an innovative curriculum may prescribe admission and 
18 
graduation requirements other, than those prescribed in ,this Act to 
19 
ensure that only exceptional and/or appropriately prepared students shall 
20 
be enrolled in the innovative curriculum; 
21 
22 
(f) 
To develop and put into place programs as well as adopt and implement 
23 
policies which will encourage and allow applicants coming from 
24 
marginalized areas and/or groups as well as financially-challenged 
25 
families to be admitted into medical colleges and complete their medical 
26 
education; 
27 
28 
(g) To accept applications and issue certificates of admission to a medical 
29 
school and keep a registry of those issued said certificate; and to collect 
30 
from said applicants reasonable fees as may be determined by the 
31 
Council which shall accrue to the operating funds of the Council of 
32 
Medical Education; 
33 
34 
(h) To recommend to the CHED the closure or suspension of the degree of 
35 
Doctor of Medicine program of a college of medicine when called for 
36 
based on the evaluation of the statistical information on the performance 
37 
of the said college in the Physician Licensure Examination as furnished 
38 
by the Board of MediCine and the Commission and upon inspection of 
39 
the college of medicine by the Council, for various deficiencies and/or 
40 
violations; 
41 
42 
(i) 
To promulgate, prescribed and enforce policies and programs which will 
43 
ensure the proper and orderly operations and upkeep of medical 
44 
colleges as well as in order to ensure that medical education is not 
45 
treated merely as a business enterprise but one with a social dimension; 
46 
47 
0) 
To select and approve hospitals or departments of hospitals for training 
48 
which comply with the minimum specific physical facilities as provided in 
49 
subparagraph hereof; and, 
50 
51 
(k) 
To promulgate, prescribe uand enforce the necessary rules and 
52 
regulations for the proper implementation of the foregoing functions. 
53 
54 
55 
SEC. 7. Minimum Required Course. - The medical course leading to the degree 
56 
of Doctor of Medicine shall be five (5) years inclusive of clinical clerkship and 
57 
internship and shall consist of the following subjects:. 
3 


1 
2 
(a) Anatomy and Histology; 
3 
(b) Physiology; 
4 
(c) Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; 
5 
(d) Pharmacology and Therapeutics; 
6 
(e) Microbiology and Parasitology; 
7 
(f) Internal Medicine, Radiology; 
8 
(g) General and Clinical Pathology and Oncology; 
9 
(h) Obstetrics and Gynecology; 
10 
(i) Pediatrics and Nutrition; 
11 
0) Surgery, Preventive Medicine and Public Health; 
12 
(k) Otorhinolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Psychiatry; 
13 
(I) Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Public Health; and, 
14 
(m) Legal Medicine, Medical Jurisprudence, Medical Ethics and Economics. 
15 
16 
Provided, That the Council may recommend to the CHED to rearrange, recluster 
17 
or integrate and/or revise the abovementioned subjects to keep up to with the 
18 
latest developments and trends in the medical profession. 
19 
20 
21 
SEC. 8. 
Admission Requirements. -
(a) A medical college may admit any 
22 
student who has not been finally convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of 
23 
any criminal offense involving moral turpitude and who presents all of the 
24 
following: 
25 
26 
(1) Record showing completion of a Bachelor's Degree in Science or Arts; 
27 
28 
(2) Certificate of eligibility for entrance to a school of medicine from the Board 
29 
of Medical Education; 
30 
31 
(3) Certificate of good moral character issued by two (2) former professors in 
32 
the college offering the pre-medical course(s); 
33 
34 
(4) Birth certificate duly authenticated by the National Statistics Office (NSO); 
35 
and, 
36 
37 
(5) Proof of successfully passing the National Medical Admission Test. 
38 
39 
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to inhibit any college of medicine from 
40 
establishing, in addition to the requirements set forth in this section, any other 
41 
reasonable entrance requirements relevant to the degree. 
42 
43 
For the purpose of this Act, the term "College of Medicine" shall mean to include 
44 
faculty of medicine, institute of medicine, school of medicine and other similar 
45 
institution which has complied with the standards and requirements set forth by 
46 
the Board, offering a complete medical course leading to the degree of Doctor of 
47 
Medicine. 
48 
49 
(b) Every college of medicine shall keep complete records of enrollment, grades, 
50 
graduates and must publish each year a catalogue giving· the following 
51 
information: 
52 
53 
(1) Date of publication; 
54 
55 
(2) Calendar of academic year; 
56 
4 


.' 
1 
(3) Roll of faculty members indicating whether on full-time or part-time 
2 
basis and their curriculum vitae; 
3 
4 
(4) Requirements for admission; 
5 
6 
(5) Grading system; 
7 
8 
(6) Requirements for promotion; 
9 
10 
(7) Requirements for graduation; 
11 
12 
(8) Curriculum and description of course by department; and, 
13 
14 
(9) Number of students enrolled in each class in the preceding year. 
15 
16 
17 
ARTICLE III 
18 
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF MEDICINE 
19 
20 
21 
SEC. 9. Composition of the Board. - There is hereby created a Professional 
22 
Regulatory Board of Medicine, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the 
23 
administrative 
control 
and 
supervision 
of the 
Professional 
Regulation 
24 
Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, composed of a 
25 
Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and five (5) members to be appointed by the 
26 
President of the Philippines from among three (3) recommendees for each 
27 
position, chosen and ranked by t~e Commission from a list of five (5) nominees 
28 
for each position submitted by the integrated and accredited professional 
29 
organization for medicine. The Board shall be organized not later than six (6) 
30 
months from the effectivity of this Act. 
31 
32 
33 
SEC. 10. Powers and Duties. - The Board shall be vested with the following 
34 
specific powers, functions, duties and responsibilities: 
35 
36 
(a) Supervise and regulate the practice of medicine in the Philippines; 
37 
38 
(b) Determine and evaluate qualifications of the applicants for registration with 
39 
physician licensure examinations and for special permits; 
40 
41 
(c) Prepare the questions in physicians' licensure examinations in accordance 
42 
with recognized principles of evaluation and of pertinent provisions of 
43 
Section 23, Article IV of this Act; prescribe the syllabi of the subjects and 
44 
their relative weights for the licensure examinations; formulate or adopt 
45 
test questions and deposit them in a test question bank; draw the test 
46 
questions at random through the process of computerization; conduct the 
47 
examination; correct and rate the examination papers; and submit the 
48 
examination results to the Commission within the period provided for by 
49 
the rules of the Commission. 
The above test questions should be in 
50 
congruence with the syllabi and the table of specifications of the 
51 
Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC); 
52 
53 
(d) In the formulation of test questions, the Board shall see to it that the 
54 
questions shall have relevant distributions as to the knowledge, skill and 
55 
attitude of the examinees; 
56 
5 


" 
1 
(e) Determine, amend or revise the requirements for the subjects in the 
2 
physician licensure examinations and their relative weights and the 
3 
manner of giving the examination, subject to the approval of the 
4 
Commission; 
5 
6 
(f) To explore and develop ways on how to measure and evaluate the clinical 
7 
competence of applicants and to introduce and integrate the same into the 
8 
physician's licensure examination to ensure not only the theoretical 
9 
knowledge but also the clinical skills of successful examinees; 
10 
11 
(g) Register successful examinees in the physician licensure examinations in 
12 
the rolls of physicians and issue the corresponding certificates of 
13 
registration; 
14 
15 
(h) Issue special/temporary permits to foreign physicians to practice medicine 
16 
for specific projects and for a specific duration of time, in coordination with 
17 
the integrated APO for Physicians; 
18 
19 
(i) Administer the qualifying examinations given to physicians who wish to 
20 
train in the Philippines for a specialty field, in coordination with the 
21 
integrated APO for Physicians; 
22 
23 
0) In coordination with the integrated APO for Physicians, look into the 
24 
conditions affecting the practice of medicine, adopt measures for the 
25 
enhancement of the profession and the maintenance of high professional, 
26 
technical and ethical standards, in coordination with the Council and 
27 
conduct ocular inspections ,of places where physicians practice their 
28 
profession; 
29 
30 
(k) Monitor the performance of medical schools and their compliance with the 
31 
rules and regulations of the Council of Medical Education; 
32 
33 
(I) In coordination with the integrated APO for Physicians, promulgate rules 
34 
and regulations including a Code of Ethics for Physicians, administrative 
35 
policies, orders and Issuances to carry out the provisions of this Act; 
36 
37 
(m)lnvestigate violations of this Act and the rules and regulations, Code of 
38 
Ethics, administrative pOlicies, orders and issuances promulgated by the 
39 
Board. 
The rule on administrative investigation promulgated by the 
40 
Commission shall govern in such investigation; 
41 
42 
(n) Issue subpoena ad testificandum or subpoena duces tecum to secure 
43 
attendance of respondents or witnesses as well as the production of 
44 
documents relative to the investigation conducted by the Board; Provided, 
45 
That failure of the party to whom a subpoena has been issued to comply 
46 
therewith shall be punishable by way of indirect contempt of the Board. 
47 
For this purpose, the Board is hereby vested the power to cite any party 
48 
for contempt which may be exercised pursuant to the applicable 
49 
provisions of the Rules of Court; 
50 
51 
(0) At the Board's discretion,delegate to the Chairperson, Vice chairperson or 
52 
any member of the Board, or a Commission attorney (PRC attorney) the 
53 
hearing of an administrative case. 
If the case concerns strictly the 
54 
practice of medicine as defined in Section 27 hereof, the investigation 
55 
shall be presided over by a member of the Board with the assistance of a 
56 
PRC attorney; Provided, That the power to cite a party in contempt shall 
6 


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be issued exclusively by the Board, upon recommendation of the member 
charged with such investigation; 
(p) After due notice and hearing, cancel examination papers and/or bar any 
examinee from future examination; refuse or defer his/her registration; 
reprimand the registrant with stern warning; suspend him/her from the 
practice of his/her profession; revoke his/her certificate of registration; 
cancel special/temporary permit; remove his/her name from the roll of 
physicians for continuous nonpayment of annual registration fees and 
noncompliance with the CME requirement; reinstate or reenroll his/her 
name in the said roll; and reissue or return his/her certificate of registration 
and professional identification card. A decision of suspension, revocation 
of the certificate of registration or removal from the roll by the Board as 
provided herein may be appealed initially to the Commission within fifteen 
(15) days from receiptthereof; 
(q) Administer the physician's oath pursuant to Section 26 herein; 
(r) Institute and prosecute or cause to be instituted and prosecuted any and 
all criminal action against any violation of this Act and/or the rules and 
regulations of the Board, subject to the provisions of Section 5, Rule 110 
of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, as amended; 
(s) Adopt an official seal; 
(t) Coordinate with the Council of Medical Education and the integrated APO 
for Physicians in prescribing, amending and/or revising the courses in a 
medical program; 
(u) Assist the Commission in the implementation of its prescribed guidelines 
and criteria on the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) for registered 
licensed physicians; 
(v) Set the standards and guidelines for the issuance and re-issuance of 
certificates of registration; and, 
(w) Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary to effiCiently 
and effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 
The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations, orders or decisions issued or 
promulgated by the Board shall be subject to the review, revision and approval 
by the Commission. However, the Board's final decisions, resolutions or orders 
rendered in an administrative case shall be immediately executory. 
SEC. 11. Qualifioations of the Board Members. - Each Board member must, at 
the time of his/her appointment: 
(a) be a natural born Filipino citizen and has been a resident of the 
Philippines for at least ten (10) consecutive years; 
(b) be at least forty (40) years old; 
(c) be a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional 
identification card as a physician; 
(d) Has been a practitioner for at least ten (10) years; 
7 


1 
2 
(e) Be a bona fide member of the integrated APO of Physicians; 
3 
4 
(f) 
Has not been convicted by final judgment by a competent court of a 
5 
criminal offense involving moral turpitude; 
6 
7 
(g) Has an experience of at least two (2) years, as a faculty member of a 
8 
college of medicine; 
9 
10 
(h) Is not a current member of the faculty of an institute, school or college of 
11 
medicine nor have any pecuniary interest in any institution which offers 
12 
and operates the course or degree of Doctor of Medicine; and, 
13 
14 
(i) 
Is not connected with a review center/school/group or association offering 
15 
classes or lectures in preparation for the physician licensure examination. 
16 
17 
18 
SEC. 12. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office from the 
19 
date of their appointment for a term of three (3) years or until their successors 
20 
shall have been appointed and qualified. They may, however, be reappointed for 
21 
another term but not for a third (3rd) term. Appointments to fill up positions 
22 
created by causes other than through expiration of regular terms shall be for the 
23 
unexpired period only. Each member shall qualify by taking an oath of office 
24 
before the performance of his/her duties.. The incumbents whose terms have not 
25 
yet expired or who are merely holding over, at the effectivity of this Act, shall be 
26 
allowed to serve the unexpired portion of their terms or may be appointed under 
27 
this Act. 
28 
29 
30 
SEC. 13. 
Compensation of the' Board Members. -
The Chairperson, Vice 
31 
Chairperson and members of the Board shall receive compensation and 
32 
allowances or other benefits pursuant to the provisions of the "PRC 
33 
Modernization Act of 200(1' and other pertinent laws and comparable to the 
34 
compensation and allowances received by the Chairperson and members of 
35 
existing professional regulatory boards. 
36 
37 
38 
SEC. 14. Suspension or Removal of Board Member. - The President, upon 
39 
recommendation of the Commission, after giving the member concerned an 
40 
opportunity to be heard by himself or counsel in a proper administrative 
41 
investigation to be conducted by the Commission, may suspend or remove any 
42 
member of the Board on any the following grounds: 
43 
44 
(a) Neglect of duty or incompetence; 
45 
46 
(b) Unprofessional, unethical or dishonorable conduct; 
47 
48 
(c) Manipulation or rigging of results of any physician licensure examination, 
49 
divulging of secret information or disclosure of the said examination, or 
50 
tampering of the grades therein; and, 
51 
52 
(d) Final conviction by the court of any criminal offense involving moral 
53 
turpitude. 
54 
55 
56 
SEC. 15. Administrative Management, Custody of Records, Secretariat and 
57 
Support Services. - The Board shall be under the administrative and executive 
8 


" 
1 
management of the Commission, with the Commission chairperson as the chief 
2 
executive officer thereof. All records of the Board shall'be under the custody of 
3 
the Commission. The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board 
4 
and shall provide the Secretariat and other support services to implement the 
5 
provisions of this Act. 
6 
7 
8 
SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board, with the approval 
9 
of the Commission, shall prescribe, issue and promulgate rules and regulations 
10 
implementing and carrying out the provisions of this Act, which shall take effect 
11 
after fifteen (15) days following the completion of their publication in the Official 
12 
Gazette or in a major daily newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. 
13 
14 
15 
SEC. 17. Annual Report. - The Board shall, on or before the end of January of 
16 
the following 
year, 
submit to the Commission 
its annual report of 
17 
accomplishments on programs, projects and activities for the calendar year 
18 
together with its appropriate recommendations on issues or problems affecting 
19 
the practice of medicine. 
20 
21 
22 
ARTICLE IV 
23 
PHYSICIAN LICENSURE EXAMINATION 
24 
25 
26 
SEC. 18. Prerequisites to the Practice of Medicine. - No person shall engage in 
27 
the practice of medicine in the Philippines unless he/she: 
28 
29 
(a) Holds a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional 
30 
identification card issued by the Commission; 
31 
32 
(b) Holds a valid special/temporary permit issued by the Board of Medicine 
33 
subject to approval by the Commission, or unless he/she is exempted by 
34 
this Act from holding any of the foregoing certificates of registration; and, 
35 
36 
(c) Is a member of the integrated APO of PhYSicians and its component 
37 
society in good standing. Any foreign doctor who intends to undergo 
38 
specialty training in the pra~tice of medicine must pass the qualifying 
39 
examination given by the Board of Medicine. 
40 
41 
42 
SEC. 19. Examination Required. - All applicants for registration, before they can 
43 
be issued a certificate of registration and a professional identification card as a 
44 
physician shall be required to pass a written licensure examination for physicians 
45 
as provided for in this Act, subject to the payment of the fees prescribed by the 
46 
Commission. 
47 
48 
49 
SEC. 20. Qualifications of Applicants for the Physician Licensure Examination. -
50 
All applicants for the physician licensure examination must possess all 
51 
qualifications and none of the disqualifications hereunder set forth, as follows: 
52 
53 
(a) He/she is a citizen and resident of the Philippines or a citizen of a foreign 
54 
country/state which observes reciprocity in the practice of medicine with 
55 
the Philippines or who has been a permanent resident of the Philippines 
56 
for at least one (1) year prior to the examination; 
57 
9 


I 
(b) He/she is mentally, emotionally and physically sound; 
2 
3 
(c) He/she has not been convicted in a final judgment by a court of any 
4 
criminal offense involving moral turpitude; 
5 
6 
(d) He/she is a holder of the degree of Doctor of Medicine conferred by a 
7 
College of Medicine established in the Philippines and duly recognized by 
8 
the CHED or a degree conferred by a college of medicine abroad and 
9 
accredited by the CHED as substantially equivalent to the degree of 
10 
Doctor of Medicine offered by a Philippine College of Medicine. 
11 
12 
13 
SEC. 21. 
Venues and Schedule of Examinations. - The Board shall give 
14 
examinations for the registration of physicians at least twice a year, in such 
15 
places as the Commission may designate in accordance with the provisions of 
16 
Republic Act No. '8981, otherwise known as the "PRC Modernization Act of 
17 
200(J'. 
18 
19 
20 
SEC. 22. Registration, Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional 
21 
Identification Card; APO Membership Card; Non-registration; Grounds Therefor. 
22 
- All successful examinees, upon compliance with all legal requirements and 
23 
payment of fees prescribed by the Commission, shall be registered and issued 
24 
certificates of registration and professional identification cards. 
They shall 
25 
likewise be deemed members of the duly recognized integrated APO for 
26 
Physicians upon compliance with all requirements and payment of compulsory 
27 
dues, and shall be issued the .n,ecessary identification cards proving such 
28 
membership therein, upon presentation of their certificates of registration and 
29 
professional identification card. 
30 
31 
The certificate of registration of a physician shall bear the registration number 
32 
and the date of issuance and the signatures of the chairperson of the 
33 
Commission and the members of the Board stamped with the seals of the 
34 
Commission and the Board, certifying that the name of the person stated therein 
35 
appears in the Registry/Roster/Roll of Physicians under the custody of the 
36 
Commission; that the person has met or complied with all the legal requirements 
37 
for registration as a physician; and that the person is entitled to exercise all the 
38 
privileges appurtenant to the practice of hislher profession; 
39 
40 
Provided, That he or she does not violate this Act, the rules and regulations, 
41 
Code of Ethics for Physicians, and other regulatory policies of the Commission 
42 
and the Board. The professional identification card shall bear the name of the 
43 
registered licensed physician, the registration number and the date of issuance, 
44 
and its date of expiry and, together with the membership identification card 
45 
issued by the integrated APO of Physicians, shall be sufficient evidence that the 
46 
physician can lawfully practice his/her profession. 
47 
48 
A successful examinee who has been finally convicted by a competent court of a 
49 
criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or found guilty by the Board of 
50 
dishonorable or immoral conduct, or declared by the court to be of unsound mind 
51 
shall not be registered. The decision'of the Board, finding the examinee guilty of 
52 
dishonorable or immoral conduct, may be appealed by the examinee to the 
53 
Commission within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the Board's decision or 
54 
resolution, and to the Court of Appeals within the same period from the receipt of 
55 
the decision or resolution of the Commission. The facts and the reasons for 
56 
refusal to register shall be clearly stated in writing, communicated to the 
57 
examinee and duly incorporated in the records of the Commission. 
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SEC. 23. Scope of Examination. - The physician licensure examination shall 
4 
cover the following thirteen (13) individual or combined/clustered subjects with 
5 
relative weights for each one final examination after completion of internship: 
6 
7 
(a) 
Anatomy and Histology; 
8 
(b) 
Physiology; 
9 
(c) 
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; 
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(d) 
Pharmacology and Therapeutics; 
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(e) 
Microbiology and Parasitology; 
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(f) 
Internal Medicine, Radiology; 
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(g) 
General and Clinical Pathology and Oncology; 
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(h) 
Obstetrics and Gynecology; 
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(i) 
Pediatrics and Nutrition; 
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0) 
Surgery, Preventive Medicine and Public Health; 
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(k) 
Otorhinolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Psychiatry; 
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(I) 
Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Public Health; and, 
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(m) 
Legal 
Medicine, 
Medical 
Jurisprudence, 
Medical 
Ethics 
and 
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Economics. 
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22 
When an urgent and important need arises in order to conform to technological 
23 
advancements and other changes, the Board and the Council, in coordination 
24 
with the APO of Physicians, may revise the substance and the conduct of such 
25 
examinations. 
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27 
Each of the thirteen (13) subjects ~h.all have its syllabus or table of specifications. 
28 
The Board shall apply each syllabus after a lapse of three (3) months reckoned 
29 
from the concurrence of all the following requisites: 
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(a) Consultation with the concerned members of the academe; 
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33 
(b) Approval by the Commission; 
34 
3S 
(c) Publication of the Board resolution in a newspaper of general circulation; 
36 
and, 
37 
38 
(d) Dissemination to all Colleges of Medicine. 
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40 
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SEC. 24. 
Rating in the Examination. -
To pass the phYSician licensure 
42 
examination, an examinee must obtain a general average rating of at least 
43 
seventy-five percent (75%) in all thirteen (13) subjects, with no rating in any 
44 
subject below fifty percent (50%). 
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46 
47 
SEC. 25. Report and Publication of the Results of Examination. - The Board 
48 
shall report the rating of each examinee to the Commission within ten (10) days 
49 
from the last day of examination. 
The official results of the examination 
50 
containing the list of topnotcher examinees without indication of their respective 
51 
schools/colleges, the names of the schools/colleges obtaining top percentages of 
52 
successful graduate-examinees shall be published by the Commission in the 
53 
major daily newspapers of general circulation. 
54 
55 
The report of rating of every examinee shall be mailed to his/her given address 
56 
using the mailing envelope he/she submitted during the examination. 
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SEC. 26. Oath. - All successful examinees shall be required to take their oath 
3 
before the Board or any person authorized by the Commission to administer oath 
4 
before they are issued their certificates of registration and professional 
5 
identification cards and before they start the practice of the profession. 
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7 
8 
ARTICLE V 
9 
REGULATION OF THE PRACTICE OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 
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SEC. 27. Acts Constituting the Practice of Medicine. - (a) A person who shall be 
13 
considered as engaged in the practice of medicine under any of the following 
14 
circumstances: 
15 
16 
(1) Physically examining any person for any disease, injury or deformity, or 
17 
diagnosing, treating, operating, prescribing or dispensing any remedy 
18 
therefor; 
19 
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(2) Examining a person's mental condition for any ailment, real or imaginary, 
21 
regardless of the nature of the remedy or treatment administered, 
22 
prescribed or recommended; 
23 
24 
(3) Offering or undertaking to diagnose, treat, operate or prescribe and 
25 
administer any remedy for any human disease, injury, deformity, physical 
26 
or mental condition either personally or by means of signs, cards or 
27 
advertisements by way. i9{ mass media or any other means of 
28 
communication; 
29 
30 
(4) Using or affixing "MD" with his/her name in the practice of the medical 
31 
profession or in his/her written or oral communications; or 
32 
33 
(5) Conducting formal medical classes in medical schools, seminars, lectures, 
34 
symposia and the like. 
35 
36 
(b) Practice through Special Temporary Permit - A special/temporary permit may 
37 
be issued by the Board in consultation with the APO for Physicians and the 
38 
DOH, subject to approval by the Commission and the Department of Labor 
39 
and Employment (DOLE) pursuant to its mandate as provided for in Articles 
40 
40 to 42 of the Labor Code. Such permits shall likewise be issued, only after 
41 
payment of fees as prescribed by the Commission, to the following: 
42 
43 
(1) Physicians licensed from foreign countries/states whose services are 
44 
either for a fee or free: 
45 
46 
i. 
If they are internationally well-known speCialists or publicly 
47 
acknowledged as experts in any area of medical specialization; 
48 
and, 
49 
50 
ii. 
If their services are urgently necessary, owing to the lack of 
51 
available local specialists/experts, or for the promotion or 
52 
advancement of the practice of medicine including, but not limited 
53 
to, the conduct of formal classes, acting as resource persons in 
54 
medical seminars, fora, symposia and the like; 
55 
56 
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(2) Physicians licensed in foreign countries/states who intend to render 
2 
services for free and limited only to indigent patients in a particular 
3 
hospital, center or clinic; 
Provided, however, That they render such 
4 
services 
under the 
direct supervision 
and 
control 
of a duly 
5 
registered/licensed physician; and, 
6 
7 
(3) Physicians licensed in foreign countries/states employed as exchange 
8 
professors in any area of medical specialization. 
9 
10 
(c) The permit shall, among others, provide for such limitations, speCifications 
11 
and conditions hereunder cited, as follows: 
12 
13 
(1) A period of not more than one (1) year subject to renewal or extenSion; 
14 
Provided, That such renewal or extension shall be under the same 
15 
process and requirements hereinabove provided; 
16 
17 
(2) The specific area of medical specialization; and, 
18 
19 
(3) The specifiC place of practice, such as clinic, hospital, center, college of 
20 
medicine. 
21 
22 
(d) The Board, subject to approval by the Commission and the DOLE, shall 
23 
prescribe rules and regulations for the implementation of this particular 
24 
section. 
25 
26 
27 
SEC. 28. Disciplinary Sanctions. - The Board shall have the power, upon proper 
28 
notice and hearing, to suspend from the practice of profession or revoke the 
29 
certificate of registration of a physician, or issue a reprimand or cancel the 
30 
special/temporary permit issued to· a foreign physician for any of the following 
31 
grounds/causes: 
32 
33 
(a) Final conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense 
34 
involving moral turpitude; 
35 
36 
(b) Immoral or dishonorable conduct; 
37 
38 
(c) Insanity; 
39 
40 
(d) Fraud in the acquisition of the certificate of registration and the 
41 
professional identification card or speCial/temporary permit; 
42 
43 
(e) Gross negligence, ignorance or incompetence in the practice of his/her 
44 
profession, resulting in an injury to or death of the patient; 
45 
46 
(f) Addiction to alcoholic beverages, to any habit forming drug or to any form 
47 
of illegal gambling, rendering him incompetent to practice his/her 
48 
profession; 
49 
50 
(g) Making or causing to be made false, misleading, extravagant or unethical 
51 
advertisements wherein things other than his name, profession, limitation 
52 
of practice, clinic hours, office and home address are mentioned; 
53 
54 
(h) Issuance of any false statement or spreading any false news or rumor 
55 
which is derogatory to the character and reputation of another physiCian 
56 
without justifiable motive; 
57 
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(i) Knowingly issuing any false medical certificates and/or findings, or making 
any fraudulent claims with government or private health insurance; 
G) Performance of, or aiding in, any criminal abortion; 
(k) Performing any act constituting the practice of an area of medical 
specialization without fulfilling the specialization requirements prescribed 
by the Board; 
(I) Knowingly aiding or subjeGting one's self to be a patient of any person who 
is unqualified or unregistered to practice medicine or an area of medical 
specialization, except in aid of training of a medical student, or performing 
any act constituting the practice of medicine or an area of medical 
speCialization in behalf of any such unlicensed or unregistered person; 
Provided, however, That this provision shall not apply when an act 
constituting the practice of medicine or an area of medical specialization is 
performed in a hospital, clinic or medical center as an accredited 
practitioner of such hospital, clinic or medical center. For this purpose, all 
hospitals, clinics and medical centers are hereby required to furnish the 
appropriate regional office of the DOH a list of all medical practitioners 
duly accredited to practice within their respective institutions every three 
(3) months; 
(m)Violation of any provIsIon of the Code of Ethics for PhYSicians as 
prescribed by the integrated APO of PhYSicians and adopted and 
promulgated by the Board, subject to approval by the Commission; 
.. , 
(n) Practice of profession during the period of his suspension; and, 
(0) Willful failure or refusal to be a member of the integrated Accredited 
Professional Organization (APO) for PhYSicians 
or expulsion or 
termination of membership therefrom. 
SEC. 29. Rights of the Parties. - The private complainant and the respondent 
physician shall be entitled to counsel and to be heard in person, to have a 
speedy and public hearing, to confront and to cross-examine witnesses, and to 
all other rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the Rules of Court. All cases 
filed or pending under this Act shall not be discussed or taken in any forum until 
after the same shall have been decided with finality. 
SEC. 30. Appeal from Judgment. - The decision of the Board shall become final 
fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of such decision by the parties or their 
counsel. 
Within the same period, the aggrieved party may ask for a 
reconsideration of the decision for· being contrary to law or for insufficiency of 
evidence. No second motion for reconsideration to the Board shall be allowed. 
A decision of suspension, revocation of the certificate of registration or removal 
from the roll by the Board as provided herein may be appealed initially to the 
Commission within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof. 
The aggrieved party may appeal to the Court of Appeals under Rule 43 of the 
Rules of Court. A decision rendered by the Commission against the respondent 
shall be executory. 
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SEC. 31. Re-issuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration and Professional 
2 
Identification Card and Replacement of Lost Certificate of Registration and 
3 
Identification Card. - After two (2) years and after due consultation with the 
4 
integrated APO of Physicians organization of physicians, the Board may order 
5 
the reinstatement of any physician whose certificate of registration has been 
6 
revoked, if the respondent has acted in an exemplary manner in the community. 
7 
8 
A new certificate of registration or professional identification card that has been 
9 
lost, destroyed or mutilated may be issued, subject to the rules of the 
10 
Commission. 
11 
12 
13 
SEC. 32. Mandatory Use of Certificate of Registration, Professional and APO 
14 
Membership Card and Professional Tax Receipt Number. -
A registered 
15 
physician shall indicate his/her certificate of registration number, the number and 
16 
the expiry date of the professional identification card and his/her APO 
17 
membership card, and the professional tax receipt number on the prescription 
18 
and other documents he/she signs, uses or issues in connection with the practice 
19 
of his/her profession. 
20 
21 
22 
SEC. 33. Vested Rights. - All phYSicians registered at the time this law takes 
23 
effect shall be automatically registered under the provisions hereof, without 
24 
prejudice to the other requirements herein set forth. 
25 
26 
27 
SEC. 34. 
Exceptions. -
For purposes of this Act, any medical student duly 
28 
enrolled in an accredited medical college or school, or any graduate of medicine 
29 
undergoing training, serving withol,lt any professional fee in any government or 
30 
private hospital, shall not be considered as engaging in the practice of medicine; 
31 
Provided, That he/she renders such service under the direct supervision and 
32 
control of a duly registeredllicensed physician. 
33 
34 
35 
SEC. 35. Integration of the Profession. - The profession shall be integrated into 
36 
one (1) national Accredited Professional Organization (APO) of PhYSicians to be 
37 
duly recognized and accredited by the Board and the Commission. A physiCian 
38 
duly registered and licensed by the Board and the Commission shall 
39 
automatically become a member of the sakI APO and shall receive the benefits 
40 
and privileges appurtenant thereto upon payment of required fees and dues. 
41 
Membership in the integrated APO shall not be a bar to membership in any other 
42 
association of physicians. 
43 
44 
45 
SEC. 36. 
Mandatory Continuing Medical Education. -
The Board shall 
46 
implement a mandatory continuing medical education among practicing 
47 
physicians in consonance with the guidelines of the CPE as shall hereafter be 
48 
promulgated by the Commission. 
49 
50 
51 
SEC. 37. Automatic Registration of 'PhYSicians. - All phYSicians whose names 
52 
appear at the Registry/Roll/Roster of Physicians at the time of the effectivity of 
53 
this Act shall automatically be registered by the Board and the Commission as 
54 
physicians and, thereafter, by the Accredited Professional Organization (APO) of 
55 
registered and licensed physicians as its bona fide members, pursuant to Section 
56 
22 ofthis Act. 
57 
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SEC. 38. Foreign Reciprocity. - Unless the country ·of which he/she is a subject 
or citizen specifically permits Filipino physicians to practice within its territorial 
limits on the same basis as the subject or citizen of the said foreign state or 
country under reciprOCity and under International agreements, no foreigner shall 
be admitted to licensure examinations, given a certificate of registration to 
practice as a physician nor be entitled to any of the privileges under this Act. 
ARTICLE VI 
PENAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 39. Penalties. - (a) The penalty of imprisonment of not less than one (1) 
year but not exceeding five (5) years or a fine of not less than Two Hundred 
Thousand Pesos 
(P200,OOO.OO) but not exceeding Five Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (P500,OOO.OO), or both, upon the discretion of the court, shall be suffered 
by: 
(1) 
Any person who practices or offers to practice medicine in the 
Philippines without a valid certificate of registration and a valid 
professional identification card, or a valid temporary/special permit 
in accordance with the provisions of this Act; 
(2) 
Any person using or attempting to use as his/her own the certificate 
of 
registration 
or 
professional 
identification 
card 
or 
temporary/special perl]1it duly issued to another; 
(3) 
Any person who shall give any false or forged documents, 
credentials and any other proof of any kind to the Board or 
Commission in order to obtain a certificate of registration or 
professional identification card or temporary/special permit; 
(4) 
Any person who shall falsely impersonate any bona fide registrant 
with like or different name; 
(5) 
Any registered and licensed physician or medical specialist who 
shall 'abet or assist in the illegal practice by a person who is not 
lawfully qualified to practice medicine or any area of medical 
specialization; 
(6) 
Any person who actually engages in the practice of medicine as 
defined in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of Section 27 of this Act 
without any certificate of registration; 
(7) 
Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended 
certificate of registration or a cancelled temporary/special permit; 
(8) 
Any person who shall use or advertise any title or description 
tending to convey the impression to the general public that he/she 
is a registered and'licensed physician when in fact he/she is not; 
(9) 
Any registered and licensed physician or medical specialist who 
shall use or advertise any title or description tending to convey the 
impression to the general public that he/she is a specialist in an 
area of medical specialization when in fact he/she is riot; and, 
16 


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(10) 
Any registered physician who shall commit any of the prohibited 
acts as enumerated in paragraphs (i),( j), (k) and (I) of Section 28 
hereof. 
(b) When any of the acts defined in paragraphs 5 and 6 of this section is 
committed by a person against three (3) or more persons, or when any of 
such acts is committed by at least three (3) persons who shall cooperate and 
confederate with one another, or when death occurs as a result of the 
commission of the prohibited act mentioned in paragraph (k) of Section 28 of 
this Act, the offense shall be considered as a qualified violation of this Act 
and shall be punishable by life imprisonment and a fine of not less than Five 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,OOO.OO) but not more than Two Million 
Pesos (P2,OOO,OOO.OO). 
Prosecution of offenses under this Act shall be 
without prejudice to a separate prosecution under the provisions of the 
Revised Penal Code and other laws. 
SEC. 40. Injunctions. -Upon written motion by any interested party and after 
notice and hearing, the Board may issue an order enjoining any person illegally 
practicing medicine from performing any act constituting the practice of medicine 
until the necessary certificate therefor is secured. However, if it is shown in the 
affidavits attached to the motion that the movant or the general public will suffer 
grave injustice or irreparable injury, the chairperson of the Board, or, in his/her 
absence, any Board member holding office may issue a temporary restraining 
order effective for seventy-two (72) hours. The applicable provisions of Rule 58 
of the Rules of Court shall govern the issuance of the writ of injunction and lifting 
thereof, except that where after hearing it is shown that the movant is entitled to 
the injunction prayed for, such writ of injunction shall be effective until there is 
clear showing that the respondent is authorized to practice medicine in the 
Philippines. 
Any such person who, after having been so enjoined, continues on the illegal 
practice of medicine shall be punished for contempt of court. The issuance of the 
said injunction shall not relieve the person from criminal prosecution and 
punishment as provided in the preceding section. 
ARTICLE VII 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 41. Enforcement. - The Commission shall be the enforcement agency of 
the Board. As such, the Commission shall implement the prOVisions of this Act, 
enforce its implementing rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, assist 
the Board in the investigation of complaints against violators of this Act, its rules 
and regulations, the Code of Ethics for Physicians and other policies of the 
Board. 
The Commission or the Board shall call upon or request any department, 
instrumentality, office, bureau, institution or agency of the government including 
local government units (LGUs) to'render such assistance as it may require, or to 
coordinate or cooperate in order to carry out, enforce or implement the 
professional regulatory policies of the government or any program or activity it 
may undertake. 
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SEC. 42. Appropriations. - The Chairpersons of the Commission on Higher 
Education and the Professional Regulation Commission shall immediately 
include in their programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which 
shall be charged against their current years' appropriations and thereafter in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 43. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after 
the approval of this Act, the PRC, together with the Board, the integrated APO of 
Physicians and the Council of Medical Education of the CHED shall prepare and 
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRRs) to carry out the 
provisions of this Act and adopt the integrated APO of Physicians' Code of 
Ethics. 
The IRRs shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following their 
publication in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation. 
SEC. 44. 
Transitory Provisions. -
The incumbent Board shall continue to 
function in the interior until such time as the new Board shall have been 
constituted pursuant to this Act. 
SEC. 45. 
Separability Clause. -
If any clause, proVISion, paragraph or part 
hereof be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, 
invalidate or impair any other part hereof, but such judgment shall be merely 
confined to the clause, provision, paragraph or part directly involved in the 
controversy in which such judgme~t has been rendered. 
j 
• I • ! 
SEC. 46. 
Repealing Clause. -
Republic Act No. 2382 also known as "The 
Medical Act of 1959", as amended by Republic Act Nos. 4224 and 5946; all laws 
amending the said Act, all other laws, decrees, executive orders and other 
administrative issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby modified, amended, superseded or repealed 
accordingly. 
SEC. 47. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation in the Philippines. 
Approved, 
18