Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousE b`i[L`N`o.    6137
RECEIVED  '€
f    DATEN
*     TI„E;
Introduced bv ROD. Ray Florence T. Reves
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Data   published   in   the   American   National   Library   of   Medicine   shows   an
exponential rate of advancement in the availability of medical  knowledge in the past
70   years.   These   recent   studies   have   estimated   that  the   doubling   of   medical
knowledge in  1950 was 50 years, 7 years in 1980, 3.5 years in 2010, and a mere 73
days  by 2020.  Given  these trends,  medical  students who  have  graduated  in  2020
have experienced four doublings in knowledge.
Moreover,   a   study   published   in   the   Annals   of   Internal   Medicine   shows
evidence  suggesting  that  there  is  an  inverse  relationship  between  the  number  of
years  a  physician  has  been  in  practice,  and  the  quality  of  care  they  provide.  A
plausible  explanation  for  this  may  be  that  the  rapid  growth  of medical  knowledge
provides  theoretical  shifts  that  may  be  harder  to  incorporate  into  the  practice  of
physicians that have received their training long ago.
Currently,   the   governing   law  concerning   the   practice   of  medicine   in   the
Philippines  remains to be Republic Act No.  2382,  otherwise known as "The Medical
Act  of  1959",  as  amended  by  Republic Act  No.  4224  and  Republic Act  No.  5946,
signed into law in  1965 and  1969 respectively.
Given  the  trend  in  the  advancement  of  medical  knowledge,  it  is  imperative
that   a   new   legislation   be   passed   to   keep   up   with   the   continuously   changing
landscape  of  medical  practice  to  keep  our  physicians  up  to  date  with  the  latest
knowledge and technology available so that they can provide the best care possible
to the Filipino people.
The  past  two  years  have  highlighted  that  a  public  health  emergency  can
cause the world  to come to  a grinding  halt.  Economic superpowers and  developing
nations alike have placed the health, safety, and futures of their citizens in the hands
of  medical  workers.  The  COVID19  pandemic  has  stressed  the  need  for  a  strong
healthcare system.
1 5  2022  R
cap*


lt is the hope of this representation that the passage of this bill not only allows
our health care workers to avail of continuing education,  but to ensure that they are
protected  by  law,  and  that they  receive  proper compensation  for their efforts.  We
should recognize their valuable contributions in nation-building.
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
Repre


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousE 3i~i[ fro.  613 7
Introduced bv ReD. Ray Florence T. Reves
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A PHYSICIAN'S ACT REPEALING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 2382, AS AIVIENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE "MEDICAL ACT OF 1959"
Be  it enacted by the  Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phil-Ippines in
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
POLICY, OBJECTIVES, AND ENFORCEIVIENT
SECTION 1. Short Ti-I/e. -This Act shall be known as the "Physi.ci.ans Act".
SECTION   2.   Dec/aratr-on   of  Po/I-cy.  -  The   State   recognizes  the  vital   role   of
physicians    in    the    preservation,    maintenance,    safeguarding,    treatment,    and
enhancement   of   the   life,    health,    and   general   welfare   of   the   citizenry.   The
professional   services   of  physicians   shall,   therefore,   be   promoted   as   a   regular
component of the total health care system.
SECTION 3. Objecti-yes. -This Act provides for and shall govern the:
a)   Standardization,   upgrading,  and  regulation  of  the  basic  medical  education,
medical internship, and post-graduate medical education and training
b)   Conduct  of  the  Physician's  Licensure  Examination,  and  the  licensure  and
registration of physicians;
c)   Supervision and regulation of the practice of medicine;
d)   Integration  of the  profession  under one  national  professional  organization  of
physicians; and
e)   Upholding of patient welfare and patient safety as the primary consideration in
the   practice   of  medicine   and   promoting   competence,   moral   values,   and
professional ethics of members of the medical profession.


SECTION  4.  Enfoncemenf,  -  For  purposes  of implementing  the  provisions  of this
Act,  there  shall   be  created  the  following   Medical   Education   Council,   hereinafter
referred  to  as  the  MEC;   Professional  Regulatory  Board  of  Medicine,   hereinafter
referred  to  as  the  PRBM;   Post-Graduate  Medical   Education  Council,   hereinafter
referred  to as the  PGMEC;  and the Integrated  National  Professional  Organization  of
Physicians (INPOP).
They  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 they 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   they   may   undertake   pursuant   to   the
provisions of this Act.
ARTICLE  11
DEFINITION OF TERMS
SECTION 5. Defi.ni.fi.on of Terms. -As used in this Act:
a)  Accredt.far/.on    refers    to    an    evaluation    mechanism    of   the    Professional
Regulatory   Board    of   Medicine    (PRBM)    of   the    Professional    Regulation
Commission  (PRC)  through  the  Post  Graduate  Medical  Education  Council
(PGMEC) that assesses the capability of a  healthcare  institution to conduct a
post-graduate  medical  education  or training  program  in  a  particular specialty
or subspecialty of medicine through  compliance with  a  series  of pre-defined,
explicitly written standards;
b)   gas/.c medi'ca/ educaff.on refers to a four (4)-year post-baccalaureate program
offered   by   a   medical   college   recognized   by  the   Commission   on   Higher
Education   (CHED)  composed  of  core  curricular  and  clinical  subjects,  the
completion  of  which  leads  to  the  conferment  of  the  degree  of  Doctor  of
Medicine and grants the  holder the eligibility to take the  Physician  Licensure
Examination  after  a  one  (1)-year  medical  internship;  or  a  five  (5)-year  post-
baccalaureate  program inclusive of a  one (1)-year medical  internship  offered
by  a  medical  college  recognized  by CHED  composed  of core  curricular and
clinical  subjects,   the  completion  of  which  leads  to  the  conferment  of  the
degree  of Doctor of Medicine  and  grants the  holder the eligibility to take  the
Physician Licensure Examination;
c)   C//.n/.ca/ c/eckchi.p refers  to a course offered  in the fourth  (4th) year of a  basic
medical  education  program that consists  of supervised,  time-bound  rotations
and  application  of patient and community care  in different medical  disciplines
in    hospital,    community,   classroom   and   other   teaching-learning   settings
involving both didactic and practical studies;


d)   A/.gher edwcaf/.on  /.nsf/.fur/-on  /HE//  refers  to  an  educational  institution,  private
or   public,   undertaking   operations   of  higher   education   programs   with   an
organized  group  of  students  pursuing  defined  studies  in  higher  education,
receiving  instruction  from  teachers,  usually  located  in  a  building  or  group  of
buildings in a particular site specifically intended for educational purposes;
e)   ///ega/ pracf/.ce  of medi.c/-ne  refers  to  the  practice  of the  medical  profession
without  the  required  valid  certificate  of  registration  for  physicians  and  valid
professional identification card issued by the PRC;
f)    /r7novaf/.ve   ct/in-cd/I/in   refers   to   a   curriculum   that   applies   non-traditional,
flexible,  creative,  and  open  curricular frameworks,  teaching-learning  models,
and   methods   of   evaluation   and   assessment   applied   to   basic   medical
education  in  real-world  situations  as  defined  by  the  Commission  on  Higher
Education  (CHED);
g)   Afed/.ca/  co//ege  refers  to  a  learning  institution  which  as  complied  with  the
standards  and  requirements  set forth  and  duly  recognized  by the  CHED  to
offer  a  complete  basic  medical  education  program  leading  to  a  degree  of
Doctor of Medicine.  It may also  be known  as College of Medicine,  Faculty of
Medicine,  Institute  of Medicine,  School of Medicine,  Medical  Schools  or other
similar names;
h)   Wed/.ca/ i.nfemshi.p  refers  to  a  one  (1)-year  post-graduate  internship  training
program after completion of four (4) years  of basic medical education from a
medical college or the fifth (5th) year of a five (5)-year basic medical education
program that is  supervised  and  monitored  by the  Medical  Education  Council
(MEC)  in  which  a  Doctor  of  Medicine  undergoes  a  supervised,  time-bound
rotation  and  application  f  patient  and  community  care  in  different  medical
disciplines  in  accredited  hospitals  and  other  settings  as  a  requisite  for  the
Physician Licensure Examination;
i)    Wed/.ca/  spec/.a/fy  refers  to  a  major  branch  or  discipline  of  medicine  under
which a physician has special knowledge and skill acquired after residency or
specialized training in an accredited specialty training institution;
j)    Ptrys/.c/.an  Lt.censure  Exami.r}afr.on  refers  to  an  evaluative  process  conducted
by   the   Professional    Regulatory   Board   of   Medicine   (PRBM)   to   eligible
candidates in order to obtain a license to practice medicine;
k)   Post-graduate  medi.ca/  educafi-on  refers  to  an  educational   program  either
through   a   clinical   or  non-clinical  track  or  alternative  track,   pursued   after
conferment of a Doctor of Medicine degree, and referring to any type of formal
medical education/training in  a hospital, community,  facility institute,  or higher
education     institution     (HEI)     or     any     combination     thereof    leading     to
specialization;
I)    Postgraduate  medical  education  -  clinical  track  refers  to  a  postgraduate
medical education and training program for licensed physicians in a particular
specialty or subspecialty of medicine  in  a  PRBM  accredited  training  program
in  a  hospital  and  community  setting  involving  direct  patient  care  and  may
include residency or subspecialty fellowship training;


in)  Post-graduate medical education - non-clinical track refers to a posLgraduarfe
medical education and training for medical graduates or licensed physicians in
a   higher  education   institution   (HEl)   conferring   a   post-graduate   academic
degree   involving   basic   medical   sciences   or   other   health-related   fields   or
disciplines   without   direct   patient   care   and    includes,   research,    medical
education, public health, health systems and health-related administration;
n)  Post-graduate medical education - alternative track refers to a postgraduate
medical  education and training program of licensed  physicians for a  particular
specialty of medicine in a  Department of Health  (DOH) accredited alternative
track,  consisting  of preceptorship,  modular,  mentorship,  or clinical  fellowship
training of not less than two (2) years of clinical practicum and comprehensive
direct specialty patient care;
o)   Pr/'mary  care  refers  to  initial  contact,  accessible  continuous,  comprehensive
and  coordinated care that is accessible at the time of need  including  a range
of services for all presenting conditions,  and the ability to coordinate referrals
to   other  health  care   providers  in  the   health   care   delivery  system,   when
necessary;
p)   Res/.den6/Fe//ow  ira/.nee   refers   to   a   licensed   physician   undergoing   post-
graduate  medical  education  and  training  in  a  particular specialty for  resident
or   subspecialty   for   fellow   of   medicine   in   a   DOH-Retained   Hospital   or
Professional  Regulatory  Board  of Medicine  (PRBM)  and  Integrated  National
Professionals of Physicians (lNPOP) accredited training institution;
q)   Specialty   Board   Certifying   Examination   refers  to  the  evaluative   process
conducted by the PRBM and INPOP;
r)    Specf.a/   perm/.£   refers   to   the   document   secured    by   a   foreign   medical
professional  in  absence of a  reciprocity agreement,  executive agreement,  or
treaty, to be allowed to practice medicine in the Philippines;
s)   Te/emedt.c/.ne  refers  to  the  practice  of medicine  by  means  of electronic  and
telecommunications   technologies   such   as   by   telephone,   internet-enabled
messaging, short messaging service (SMS),  or audio-and video-conferencing
to  deliver  health  care  that  cannot  otherwise  be  done  face-to-face  due  to
certain conditions such as the physical distance between the  patient and the
physician; and
t)    Temporary  fra/.n/.ng  permt.f  refers   to   the  document  secured   by  a  foreign
medical   professional   after  compliance   with   the   requirements   for  medical
residency training or post-graduate medical education training  which shall  be
valid  for  a  period  co-terminus  with  the  medical  residency  or  post-graduate
medical education training, unless sooner revoked for cause.


ARTICLE Ill
THE IVIEDICAL EDUCATION COUNCIL AND THE MEDICAL DEGREE PROGRAM
SECTION  6.  Creafi.on.  -  The  Medical  Education  Council  (MEC)  shall  be  created
under the CHED and shall be composed of the following:
a)   Chairperson of the CHED or the Chairperson's duly authorized representative
as Chairperson of the MEC:
b)  Secretary  of the  DOH  or the  Secretary's  duly  authorized  representative  as
member;
c)   Chairperson    of   the    PRC-PRBM    or   the    Chairperson's    duly   authorized
representative as member;
d)   President of the  lNPOP  or the  President's  duly authorized  representative  as
member;
e)   The  president of the  national  association of medical schools duly recognized
by  the  CHED  or the  president's  duly  authorized  representative  as  member;
and
D    The  president of the national  association  of hospitals  duly  recognized  by the
DOH or the president's duly authorized representative as member.
The Chairperson and  members of the MEC shall hold office during their incumbency
in the respective institutions or associations that they represent.
The  MEC,  within  sixty  (60)  days  after  the  effectivity  of  this  Act,  shall  appoint  a
technical  panel  on  the  medical  degree  program  composed  of  at  least  seven  (7)
outstanding    members    of   the    academe    or   the    profession,    or   both,    whose
responsibility  is  to  assist  the  MEC  in  carrying  out  its  functions  and  powers.  The
membership  of the technical  panel  shall  include  experts  from  the  following:  two  (2)
from the academe, two (2) from the industry sector, two (2) from the DOH,  and one
(1) from the INPOP.
The   public  officials  shall   perform  their  duties   as  such  without  compensation   or
remuneration,  subject to reasonable per d/.em allowances as approved  by the MEC
and  subject  to  existing  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Department  of  Budget  and
Management   (DBM).    Members   thereof   who   are   not   government   officials   or
employees   shall   be   entitled   to   necessary   travelling   expenses,   per  dt.em   and
representation allowances chargeable against the funds of the CHED,  as  approved
by the MEC, subject to existing rules and regulations of the DBM.
SECTION 7. Funcfi.ons and Dufi.es. -The  MEC shall have the following functions
and duties:
a)  Authorize  the  opening  of and  recognize  new  medical  schools  especially  in
areas of need upon compliance with the minimum requirements;


b)   Determine   the    minimum   requirements   for   physical   facilities   of   medical
colleges  such  as  buildings,  hospitals,  equipment  and  supplies,  apparatus,
instruments,    appliances,    laboratories    and    bed    capacity   for    instruction
purposes,   operating   and  delivery  rooms,   facilities  for  out-patient  services,
community  health  services  and  others  that  are  necessary  for  didactic  and
practical instruction in accordance with modern trends;
c)   Determine    the    minimum    number    and    the    standard    qualifications    of
administrative and teaching personnel including student-teacher ratio;
d)   Determine the minimum required curriculum leading to the degree of Doctor of
Medicine,  including  internship;
e)   Authorize the  implementation  of an  acceptable  innovative medical curriculum
or strategy  in  a  medical  college  that has  exceptional  faculty,  equipment  and
facilities.  Such  medical  college  with  an  innovative  curriculum  may  prescribe
admission  and  graduation  requirements  other  than  those  prescribed  in  this
Act;
i)    Determine the minimum requirements for admission  into a recognized college
of medicine;
g)   Develop and put into place programs as well as adopt and implement policies
which will encourage and allow applicants from marginalized areas or groups,
or both,  as well  as financially-challenged  families to  be admitted  into  medical
colleges and complete their medical education;
h)   Keep a  registry of medical students enrolled in medical colleges,  and conduct
tracer studies for medical graduates for up to five (5) years from graduation;
i)    Recommend  to the  CHED the closure or suspension  of the degree  program
for Doctor of Medicine of a medical college by reason of poor performance in
the  physicians  licensure  examination  over  a  given  period  of time  based  on
statistical  data  furnished  by  the  PRBM,  or  upon  inspection  of  the  medical
school by the MEC for reasons of various deficiencies or violations;
j)    Promulgate,  prescribe,  and  enforce  policies  and  programs  which  will  ensure
the proper and orderly operations and  upkeep of medical colleges in  order to
ensure  that  basic  medical  education  is  not  treated  merely  as  a  business
enterprise but one with a social dimension;
k)   Regulate, supervise and monitor the medical internship program; and
I)    Promulgate, prescribe and enforce the necessary rules and regulations for the
proper implementation of the foregoing functions.
SECTION  8.  «ini.mum  Requi-red  Cowrse.  -  The  medical  course  leading  to  the
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  shall  be  undertaken  for  a  period  of four  (4)  years,
inclusive  of clinical  clerkship;  or for five  (5)  years,  inclusive of clinical  clerkship  and
medical  internship:  Priovi.ded,  That  there  shall  be  no  tuition  or  miscellaneous  fees
charged for internship that cover the following subjects:
a)   Human Anatomy including Gross, Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy;
b)   Human Physiology;


c)   Biochemistry,  Molecular Biology, Genetics and Clinical  Nutrition;
d)   Pharmacology   and    Non-Pharmacological   lnterventions   and   Therapeutics
including  Alternative  Medicine,  Traditional  and  Complementary  Medicine  and
Philippine Traditional Medicine;
e)   Microbiology,  Parasitology and [mmunology;
f)    Internal Medicine,  including Geriatrics and Dermatology;
g)   General and Clinical Pathology, Surgical Pathology and Oncology;
h)   Obstetrics and Gynecology including Women's Health;
i)     Pediatrics and  Nutrition including Child  Protection;
j)    General Surgery, and its divisions;
k)   Anesthesiology and Pain Management;
I)     Orthopedics;
in)  Otorhinolaryngology;
n)   Ophthalmology;
o)   Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences;
p)   Basic and Clinical Neurosciences;
q)   Family and Community Medicine including  Public Health,  Preventive Medicine
and Health Economics, Primary Health Care;
r)    Medical  Information Technology and Telemedicine;
s)   Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine;
t)    History and Perspectives in Medicine;
u)   Research,      Evidence-based     Medicine     and     Medical     lnformatics,     and
Epidemjology;
v)   Health  Rights,  Legal Medicine,  Medical Jurisprudence and  Forensic Medicine;
and
w)  Radiology and other diagnostic imaging.
The minimum curricular content regardless of the curriculum design shall include the
following topics that should be integrated in all medical courses:
a)   Bioethics,  Professionalism and Good clinical Practice;
b)   Patient Safety and Quality Assurance;
c)   Consultation Skills,  Physical Diagnosis and Communication Skills;
d)  Andragogy, Trauma-Informed Pedagogy;
e)   Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Emergency Medicine;
0    Leadership and Management and Technical Fluency;
g)   Inter-professional Education;
h)   Coaching and Mentoring; and
i)    Medical certification on the cause of Death.


The MEG may,  however,  recommend to the CHED the re-clustering or integration of
subjects as  may be necessary to fir into the four (4) or five  (5)-year program for the
degree of Doctor of Medicine.
SECTION 9. Admission Requirements and Publication of Academic Catalogue.
-A Medical college may admit any student who presents all of the following:
a)   Diploma  or Certificate  of completion  of Bachelor's  Degree  in  Science or Arts
or  completion  of  secondary  education  for  medical  colleges  offering  CHED
approved innovative curriculum;
b)   Certificate of good moral character issued  by two (2) former professors in the
college   where   a   bachelor's   degree  was   obtained,   or   by  two   (2)   former
teachers  in  high  school  for  those  entering  in  a  CHED-approved  innovative
curriculum, or by the head of the indigenous peoples community;
c)   Birth certificate duly authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);
and
d)   Certificate   of  passing   marks   of  the   national   medical   admission   test  and
psychometric test prescribed  or conducted  by the  CHED  not  more than  two
(2) years from the time of admission; and
e)   For foreign  students,  a certificate  of eligibility from the  MEC for admission  to
medical school.
Only  medical  colleges  externally  accredited  by  agencies  recognized  by  the  MEC
may accept foreign medical students.
A  medical  college  may  admit any student who  has  not  been  finally convicted  by a
court of competent jurisdiction  of any criminal  offense  involving  moral  turpitude  and
able to present all of the above requirements.
Nothing  jn this Act shall  be construed to  prohibit any medical  college from imposing
further requirements  relevant to the degree,  in addition to the requirements set forth
in this Section.
Every   medical   college  shall   keep  complete   records   of  enrollment,   grades,   and
graduates and must publish each year a catalogue with the following information:
a)   Date of publication;
b)   Calendar of academic year;
c)   Roll of faculty members, indicating whether on full-time or part-time basis, and
their qualifications;
d)   Requirements for admission;
e)   Grading system;
f)    Requirements for promotion;
g)   Requirements for graduation;
h)   Curriculum and  description of course by department;  and  number of students
enrolled in each class the preceding year.


SECTION 10. Avedi.ca/ /r)temsA/-p Program. -The MEC shall, within sixty (60) days
after  the  effectivity  of  this  Act,   appoint  a  technical  panel  on  medical   internship
program composed  of a  minimum of seven  (7)  deans of CHED-recognized  medical
colleges or their representatives whose responsibility is to assist the MEC in carrying
out its functions and duties on the medical internship program.
The   members   of  this   panel   shall   perform  their  duties  without  compensation   or
remuneration,  subject to reasonable per d/.em allowances as approved  by the MEC
and subject to existing  rules and regulations of the  DBM.  Members thereof who are
not  government  officials   or  employees   shall   be   entitled   to   necessary  travelling
expenses, per d/.em and representation allowances chargeable against the funds of
the CHED,  as approved by the MEC, subject to existing rules and regulations of the
DBM.
a)   Functions and Duties:
1.   Formulate    a    one    (1)-year    standardized    curriculum    for    medical
internship  that  may  either  be  rotation  hospital-based  or  community-
oriented, including accreditation standards for health institutions;
2.   Review the  curriculum  and  accreditation  standards  at least every four
(4) years;
3.   Formulate  and  implement  regulations  and  procedures  for  accredited
health institutions including sanctions for non-compliance;
4.   Accredit  hospitals  and  other  health  facilities  or  settings  that  will   be
allowed to conduct a medial internship training program;
5.   Regularly  evaluate  and  monitor  the  compliance  of  accredited  health
institutions with the prescribed curriculum and accreditation standards,
and institute mechanisms for program evaluation;
6.   Assess   a   reasonable   processing   fee   for  eligible   applicants   to  the
internship   program   and   an   administrative  fee   for   accreditation   for
health institutions;
7.   In   coordination   with   their   medical   colleges,   assist  clinical   clerks   in
making an informed choice when selecting a particular health institution
for their medical internship;
8.   Formulate   and   implement   a   national   internship   matching   program
including mechanisms for transfers after having been matched;
9.   Develop  and  implement a  system  for  accredited  health  institutions  to
monitor and evaluate the performance of their medical interns;
10.Receive    and    resolve    complaints    from    medical    interns    or    host
institutions; and
11.Issue   a   certificate   of   completion   of   medical   internship   upon   the
recommendation of the accredited health institution.


ARTICLE IV
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF MEDICINE
SECTION 11. Creation Of the Professional Regulatory Board. -There .is hereby
created  a  Professional  Regulatory Board  of Medicine,  hereinafter referred to  as the
PRBM,  under  the  administrative  control  and  supervision  of  the  PRC.  The  PRBM
shall  be  composed  of  a  Chairperson,  a  Vice  Chairperson  and  five  (5)  members.
Each  vacant  position  of  the   PRBM  shall   be  appointed   by  the   President  of  the
Republic of the Philippines from a list of three (3) nominees submitted exclusively by
the  INPOP,  as provided under Section 51  of this Act. The  PRBM shall  be organized
not later than six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.
SECTloN 12. Powers ar)d Dufi-es. -The PRBM shall be vested with the following
specific powers, functions, duties and responsibilities:
a)   Supervise,  regulate  and  monitor  the  practice  of  medicine  in  the  Philippines,
including telenedicine;
b)   Determine  and  evaluate  qualifications  of  the  applicants  for  the  physician's
licensure   examinations,   foreign   applicants   for  special   permits   to   practice
medicine   in   the   Philippines,    or   temporary   training   permits   for   medical
residency;
c)   Prepare  the  test  questions  for  the  Physician's   Licensure  Examinations  in
accordance   with    recognized    principles    of   evaluation    and    of   pertinent
provisions  of  Section  21,  Article  lv  of this  Act;  prescribe  the  syllabi  of the
subjects and their relative weights for the licensure examinations; conduct the
examination; correct and rate the examination papers;
The  PRBM  shall  ensure  that  the  test  questions  are  appropriately  formulated  to
assess the knowledge, skill, and attitude of the examinees;
d)   Determine,  amend,  or  revise the  coverage  of the subjects  in  the  physician's
licensure  examinations  and  their  relative weights,  and  the  manner  of giving
the examination, subject to the approval of the PRC;
e)   Explore  and  develop  ways  on   how  to  measure  and  evaluate  the  clinical
competence   of  examinees,   and   integrate  the   same   into   the   physician's
licensure examination;
f)    Register successful examinees in the physician licensure examinations  in the
roll of physicians and issue the corresponding certificates of registration;
g)   Issue special or temporary permits to foreign  physicians to practice  medicine
for specific projects, duration of time, and place of practice;
h)   Administer the qualifying examinations for foreign physicians who wish to train
in the Philippines for a specialty or field of practice;
i)     Monitor the conditions affecting the practice of medical profession, respond to
emerging  needs  of the  profession,  adopt measures  for the  enhancement of


the  quality  of  education  and  practice  of  medicine  in  coordination  with  the
appropriate regulatory bodies;
j)    In  coordination with  the  CHED,  monitor the  performance  of medical  schools
and their compliance with the rules and regulations of the MEC;
k)   ln  coordination with the  lNPOP,  promulgate  rules  and  regulations  including  a
Code of Ethics for Physicians, administrative policies, orders and jssuances to
carry out the provisions of this Act;
I)    Conduct  regular quality  assurance  programs  and  activities  to  ensure  quality
medical education;
in)  Investigate meritorious cases of violations of this Act,  Code of Ethics,  and the
pertinent rules  and  regulations,  administrative  policies,  orders  and  issuances
which  are  recommended  for  decision  by  the  lNPOP.  The  rules  governing
administrative   investigations   promulgated   by   the   PRC   shall   govern   the
conduct of such proceedings;
n)   Issue   subpoena   ad  fesfi.ffcandum   or  subpoena   duces   tecum   to   secure
attendance   of   respondents   or   witnesses   as   well   as   the   production   of
documents:  Provi.ded, That failure of the party to whom a subpoena has been
issued to comply therewjth shall be punishable by way of indirect contempt.
For  this  purpose,   the   PRBM   is   hereby  vested  the  power  to  cite  any  party  for
contempt which may be exercised pursuant to the applicable provisions of Rule 71  of
the Rules of Court;
o)   Conduct hearings on cases filed with the  PRBM:  Prov/.ded,  That a majority of
the  members  of the  PRBM  with  the  assistance  of the  Legal  Division  of the
PRC shall conduct the hearings. A member of the PRBM shall be assigned to
preside over a hearing;
p)  After due notice and hearing, cancel examination papers or bar any examinee
from  future   examination   or  both;   refuse   or  defer  the   registration   of  the
examinee;  reprimand the registrant with stern warning; suspend the registrant
from  the   practice  of  the  profession;   revoke  the  certificate  of  registration;
cancel  a  special or temporary permit,  or a temporary training  permit;  remove
the  name of a  physician from the roll  of physicians on account of continuous
non-payment   of   annual   registration   fees   and   non-compliance   with   the
Continuing  Professional  Development  (CPD)  requirements;  reinstate  or  re-
enroll   a   physician's   name   in   the   said   roll;   and   re-issue   or   return   the
physician's certificate of registration and professional identification card.
A decision of suspension, revocation of the certificate of registration, or removal from
the roll by the PRBM as provided herein may be appealed to the PRCH within fifteen
(15) days from receipt thereof;
q)   Administer the physician's oath;
r)    Institute and  prosecute or cause to  be  instituted  and  prosecuted  any and  all
criminal  action against any violation of this Act or the rules and regulations  of


the  Board,  or  both,  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 MEC and  the  INPOP in  prescribing, amending or revising
the courses in a medical program, or both;
u)   Assist the PRC in the implementation of its prescribed guidelines and criteria
on  the  Continuing  Professional  Development  (CPD)  for  registered  licensed
physicians;
v)   Set   the   standards   and   guidelines   for  the   issuance   and   re-issuance   of
certificates   of   registration    including   compliance   with   the    PRBM's   CPD
program; 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 issued or promulgated by the  PRBM
shall  be  subject  to  the  review,  revision,  and  approval  by  the  PRC.  The  orders  or
decisions may be appealed to the PRC, however, in case if imminent and immediate
danger to patients,  the  PRBM's final decisions,  resolutions or orders rendered  in  an
administrative case shall be immediately executory.
SECTION  13.  Qualifications  of  the  Members  of  the  Board.  -  Each  PF`BM
member at the time of appointment must have the following qualifications:
a)  A natural born  Filipino citizen and has been a resident of the Philippines for at
least ten (10) consecutive years;
b)   At least fifty (50) years old;
c)   A   holder   of   a   valid   certificate   of   registration   and   a   valid   professional
identification card as a physician;
d)   Has been a medical practitioner for at least ten (10) years;
e)  A continuing bonarJ.de member of the lNPOP;
f)    Has  not been  convicted  by final judgment by a competent court of a criminal
offense involving moral turpitude;
g)   Has at least eight (8) years of experience as a faculty member of a college of
medicine;
h)   Not  a  current  member  of  the  faculty  of  an  institute,  school  or  college  of
medicine;
i)    Does   not   have   a   pecuniary   interest   in   any   institution   which   offers   and
operates the course or degree of Doctor of Medicine; and
j)    Not  connected  with  or  has  no  pecuniary  interest  in  a  review center,  school
group,   or  association   offering   classes   or   lectures   in   preparation   for  the
physician's licensure examination.
SECTION  14.  Term of Offi-ce. -The  members  of the  PRBM  shall  hold  office from
the date  of their appointment for a  term of three  (3)  years  or until  their successors
shall  have  been  appointed  and  qualified.  They  may,  however,  be  reappointed  for


another three (3)-year term but not for a third three (3)-year term. Appointments to fill
up vacant positions for reasons other than through expiration  of regular terms  shall
be for the unexpired period only. Each member shall take an oath of office before the
performance  of the  duties  and  responsibilities.  The  incumbents  whose  terms  have
not yet expired or who are merely on a holdover capacity, at the effectivity of this Act,
shall be allowed to serve the unexpired portion of their terms or may be re-appointed
under this Act.
SECTION  15.  Compensati-on. -The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and  members
of the  PRBM  shall  receive compensation and allowances or other benefits  pursuant
to   the   provisions   of   Republic   Act   No.   8981    otherwise   known   as   the    "PRO
Modemj.zaf/.on   Act  of  2000"  and   other   pertinent   laws   and   comparable   to   the
compensation and allowances received by the chairperson and members of existing
professional regulatory boards.
SECTION 16.  Suspensi-on or Remova/. -The President,  upon recommendation of
the  PRC  after  giving  the  member  an  opporfunity  to  be  heard  by  himself  or  by  a
counsel  in  a  proper administrative  investigation  to  be conducted  by the  PRC,  may
suspend or remove any member of the ORBM on any of the following grounds:
a)   Neglect of duty or incompetence;
b)   Unprofessional,  unethical or dishonorable conduct;
c)   Manipulation  or  rigging  the  results  of  any  physician  licensure  examination,
divulging   of  secret  information   or  disclosure   of  the  said   examination,   or
tampering of the grades therein; and
d)   Final conviction by the court of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude.
SECTION 11. Administrative Management, Custody of Records, Secretariat and
Sapporf Servi.ces. - The  PRBM  shall  be under the supervision  and  control  of the
PRC,  with the  PRC chairperson as the chief executive officer thereof. All  records  of
the PRBM shall be under the custody of the PRC.
The PRC shall designate the secretary of the PRBM and shall provide the secretariat
and other support services to implement the provisions of this Act.
ARTICLE V
PHYSICIAN LICENSURE EXAMINATION
SECTloN  18.  Prerequi-si-tes  fo  the  Pracfi.ce  of  Medt.ci.ne.  -  No  person  shall
engage in the practice of medicine in the Philippines unless the person:
a)   Holds  a  valid  certificate  of registration  and  a  valid  professional  identification
card issued by the PRC;


b)   Holds a valid special/temporary permit used by the PRBM subject to approval
by the PRC, or unless exempted by this Act from holding any of the foregoing
certificates of registration; and
c)   Is a member of good standing of the lNPOP.
Any  foreign  doctor who  intends  to  undergo  residence  or fellowship  training  in  the
practice of medicine must pass the qualifying assessment given by the PRBM.
SECTION  19.  Eram/-nafi.on  Requ/-red. -All  applicants  for registration  prior to  the
issuance  of  certificate  of  registration  and   a  professional   identification  card   as  a
physician,  shall  be  required  to  pass  the  licensure  examination  for  physicians  as
provided for in this Act, and shall be subject to the payment of the fees prescribed by
the PRC.
SECTION   20.   Qualifications   of   Applicants   for  the   Physicians   Licensure
Exam/-nafi.on.   -   All   applicants   for   the   physicians'   Iicensure   examination   must
possess  all  qualifications  and  none  of the  disqualifications  hereunder  set  forth  as
follows:
a)   A  citizen  and  resident  of the  Philippines  or a  citizen  of a  foreign  country  or
State that observes reciprocity in the practice of medicine with the Philippines;
b)   Is  mentally,  emotionally,  and physically sound with a  certificate of good  moral
character signed by the Dean of the school where the applicant is a graduate;
c)   Has  not been  convicted  by final judgment by a  court of any criminal  offense;
and
d)   A  holder  of  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  (M.D.)  or  its  equivalent  for
innovative  curriculum  conferred  by  a  College  of Medicine  established  in  the
Philippines  and  duly  recognized  by  the  CHED,  or  a  degree  conferred  by  a
college  of  medicine  abroad  and  accredited  by  the  CHED  as  substantially
equivalent to the degree of Doctor of Medicine conferred  by medical schools
in the Philippines;  and
e)   Has completed a one (1)-year post-graduate medical internship.
SECTION 21. Scope of Eirami.nafi.on. -The physicians licensure examination shall
cover  the  following  thirteen  (13)  individual  or  combined  subjects  with  the  relative
weights for each:
a)   Anatomy and  Histology;
b)   Physiology;
c)   Biochemistry and Molecular Biology;
d)   Pharmacology and Therapeutics;
e)   Microbiology and  Parasitology;
f)    Internal    Medicine;     Neurology,     Dermatology,     Geriatric;     Psychiatry    and
Behavioral Medicine;
g)   General and systemic pathology, and Clinical Pathology;
h)   Obstetrics and Gynecology;


i)     Pediatrics and Nutrition;
j)    Surgery, Orthopedic, Anesthesiology;
k)   Otorhinolaryngology,  Ophthalmology;
I)     Family and  Community Medicine,  Preventive Medicine and  Public  Health and
Hearth  Economics; and
in)  Legal    Medicine,    Medical    Jurisprudence,    Medical    Ethics,    and    Medical
lnformatics.
In   case  there   is   need   or  when   ciroumstances   require,   in   order  to  conform  to
technological advaneements and other developments, the  PRBM,  the MEC,  and the
lNPOP may revise the substance, format and the conduct of the exarrinations.
Each of the thirteen  (13) subjects shall have its syllabus or table of specifications for
purposes of the physician licensure examinations. The PRBM shall apply the table of
the specifications after a lapse of three (3) months reckoned from the concurrence of
all the following  requisites:
a)   Consultation with the association of medical schools;
b)   Approval by the PRC;
c)   Publication of the PRBM resolution in a newspaper of general ciroulation; and
d)   Dissemination to all medical schools.
SECTION   22.   Venue   and   Schedu/e   of  E*ami.nafl.ons.   -   The   PRBM   shall
administer  examinations  for  the  registration  of  physicians  at  least  twice  a  year  in
such   places  as  the  PRC   may  designate  in   accordanee  wi.th  the  provisions   of
Republic Act No.  8981.  However,  in case of a pandemic or public health emergency,
disasters or calamity,  whether natural  or human  induced,  the  PRBM  may  postpone
such   examinations   to   a   later  date.   An   applicant  may   be   allowec[   to   take   the
examinations  in  t\^ro  (2)  parts.  The  first  part  shall  consist  of questions  from  Basic
Medicine which  are from subjects  of the first and  second  year in  medicine  proper,
and the rest may be taken up in the second part: Provided,  however,  That the two-
part examinations must be taken in one (1) and the same year.
SECTION  23.  Raffng  i-n  the  &am/-natr.on.  -  To  pass  the  physician  licerrsure
examination,  an examinee must obtain a general average rating of at least seventy-
five  per  cent  (75%)  in  all  thirteen  (13)  subjects:  Provi.bed,  That  there  is  no  rating
obtained in any subject below fifty per cent (50%).
SECTION  24.  Report  and  Publication  of the  Results  of  Examination.  - The
PRBM shall report the rating of each examinee to the PRC within ten  (10) days from
the  last  day  of examination  or  any  other  period  granted  by  the  PRC.  The  official
results of the examination containing the list of topnotcher examinees indicating their
respective schcols  or colleges  and  the  names  of the schcois  or colleges  obtaining
top percentage of successful examinees shall be published by the PRC.


The  report  of  rating  of  every  examinee  shall  be  mailed  to  the  examinee's  given
address, using the examinee's mailing envelope submitted during the examination.
SECTION   25.   Oath.  -  All  successful  examinees  shall   be   required  to  take  the
physician's   oath   before   the   PRBM   or   any   person   authorized   by  the   PRC   to
administer it before they are  issued their certificates of registration  and  professional
identification cards, or before they start the practice of the medical profession.
SECTION   26.   Registration,   Issuance   of   Certificate   of   Registration   and
Professional Identification Card; Integrated National Professional Organization
of Physicians (lNPOP)  Membership,-  Non-registration and Grounds Thereof. -
All successful examinees,  upon compliance with all legal requirements and  payment
of  fees   prescribed   by  the   PRC,   shall   be   registered   and   issued  certificates   of
registration  and  professional  identification  cards.  They  shall  likewise  be  deemed
members  of  the  lNPOP  upon  compliance  with  all  requirements  and  payment  of
compulsory   dues.    Upon   presentation   of   their   certificates   of   registration    and
professional identification cards, they shall be issued a separate INPOP Membership
card.
The  certificate  of registration  of a  physician  shall  bear the  registration  number and
the  date  of  issuance  and  the  signatures  of the  chairperson  of the  PRC  and  the
members of the PRBM stamped with the seals of the PRC and the PRBM, certifying
that the  name of the  person stated  therein  appears  in  the  Roll  of Physicians  under
the custody of the PRC; that the person has complied with all the legal requirements
for  registration  as  a  physician;  and  that  the  person  is  entitled  to  exercise  all  the
privileges  appurfenant  to  the  practice  of  medical  profession:   Provi.ded,   That  the
person does not violate this Act, the rules and regulations issued to implement it, the
Code  of  Ethics  for  Physicians,  and  other  regulatory  issuances  and  policies  of the
PRC and PRBM.
The  professional  identification  card  shall  bear the  name  of the  registered  licensed
physician,   the   registration   number,   the  date   of  issuance,   and   the  date   of  the
expiration of the license. Together with the membership identification card issued by
the lNPOP, the physician is deemed qualified to practice medicine in the Philippines.
Updating of practice information such as location, affiliation, and field of practice and
specialization shall be required for renewal of the PRC-ID and INPOP-ID.
A  successful  examinee  who  has  been  finally  convicted  by  a  competent  court  of
criminal offense, or found guilty by the PRBM of dishonorable or immoral conduct, or
declared  by a  court to be of unsound  mind,  shall  not be registered.  The decision  of
the  PRBM  finding  the  examinee  guilty of dishonorable  or immoral  conduct may  be
appealed to the PRC within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the  PRBM's decision or
resolution, and to the Court of Appeals within the same period from the receipt of the
decision or resolution of the  PRC.  The facts and the reasons for refusal to register


shall   be   clearly   stated   in   writing,   communicated   to   the   examinee,   and   duly
incorporated in the records of the PRC.
ARTICLE VI
THE POST-GRADUATE IVIEDICAL EDUCATION COUNCIL
SECTION  Z].  Creation  of  the  Post-Graduate  Medical  Education  Council.  -
There  is  hereby created  the  Post-Graduate  Medical  Education  Council,  hereinafter
referred  to  as  the  PGMEC,  under  the  Professional  Regulatory  Board  of  Medicine
(PRBM).
The  PGMEC  shall  consist  of a  core  group  and  medical  practice  groups.  The  core
group,   which  shall   be  headed  by  the  incumbent  chair  of  the  PRBM   or  its  duly
authorized representative and the following as members:
a)   Chairperson  of  the  Civil  Service  Commission   (CSC)  or  a  duly  authorized
representative;
b)   Secretary   of   the    Department   of   Health   (DOH)    or   a   duly   authorized
representative;
c)   Secretary  of  the  Department  of  Labor  and  Employment  (DOLE)  or  a  duly
authorized representative;
d)   Chairperson    of   the    Medical    Education    Council    or    a    duly    authorized
representative;
e)  A    permanent    representative    of    the    Integrated    National    Professional
Organization of Physicians (INPOP);
D    A permanent representative of the association of medical colleges;
g)  A permanent representative of public hospital association; and
h)  A permanent representative of private hospital association.
Permanent  representatives  of medical  schools  and  hospitals  associations  shall  be
nominated  by  representatives  of  government  agencies  in  the  PGMEC:  Provi.ded,
That the CHED shall appoint the permanent representative of medical schools,  and
the  DOH  for the  hospital  association:  Provi.bed,  further,  That the  appointment shall
be  for  a  term  of  three  (3)  years  and  may  be  renewed  upon  renomination  and
reappointment.
The  members  of  the  PGMEC  may  designate  their  permanent  representatives  to
meetings who shall  have a  rank not lower than  an  undersecretary or its  equivalent,
and shall receive emoluments as may be determined by the PGMEC in accordance
with existing budget and accounting rules and regulations.
The  medical  practice groups shall  be constituted for each medical field  or discipline
previously identified  by the  PRBM through  a  resolution with  a  minimum  of three  (3)


and  a   maximum  of  six  (6)  members.   Each  group  shall   be  composed  solely  of
physicians  who  are  licensed  to  practice  in  the  Philippines  and  actively  engaged  in
the practice of the same medical field or discipline.
The members of the medical  practice groups shall  be appointed  by the  INPOP for a
term of three  (3) years:  Prov/-ded,  That,  no member shall serve for more than three
(3) consecutive terms.
The INPOP shall  promulgate the nomination  process for all  members of the  medical
practice  groups which  shall  indicate  a  clear set of qualifications  and  credentials  for
each field or discipline as respectively recommended by the sectors concerned.
A  total  of three  (3)  Committees  shall  be  created  where  the  members  of the  core
group shall permanently sit. The  members appointed to the medical practice groups
in each medical field or discipline shall sit with the committees in equal distribution in
order to  assist the  PGMEC  jn  carrying  out  its  functions  jn  their  respective  medical
field  or discipline:
a)   Committee  on  Accreditatjon  -  It  shall  be  responsible  for  accrediting  post-
graduate   medical   education   and   training   and   developing   standards   for
approval of the PGMEC;
b)   Committee  on Training  and  Certification - lt shall determine whether doctors
and  allied  health  professionals  have  satisfactorily  completed  post-graduate
medical education and training and shall  issue the certificate of completion of
training to examinees who pass the certifying examination; and
c)   Committee on Policies, Standards and  Ethics -lt shall formulate standards of
post-graduate    medical    education    and    training    programs,    policies    on
compensation  and  benefits  and  working  conditions  of medical  residents  and
other policies  related to the scope and  practice of medical  residency.  It shall
handle     complaints     of    medical     residents     and     patients     and     submit
recommendations to the  PRBM for approval  and action regarding complaints
filed.    It  shall  also  screen  foreign  graduates  of  medicine  who  would  like  to
undergo residency training in the country.
The PGMEC shall create other committees and sub-committees as may be deemed
necessary in the accomplishments of its duties and functions.
The  PRC  shall  provide  a  Secretariat  for  the   PGMEC  to  be  composed  of  both
technical  and  administrative  staff.  The  Secretariat shall  coordinate  the  activities  of
the  different  committees  and  provide  technical  and  administrative  support  in  the
efficient  and  effective  coordination  of programs,  projects  and  activities  among  the
different committees of the PGMEC.
The    members    of   the    PGMEC    shall    perform   their   duties    as    such   without
compensation or remuneration, but may receive reasonable per d/.em allowances as
approved  by  the  PRBM  and  subject to  existing  rules  and  regulations  of the  DBM.


Members thereof who are not government officials or employees shall be entitled  to
necessary travelling expenses, per d/.em and representation allowances chargeable
against the funds of the PRC, subject to existing rules and regulations of the DB,.
The  members  of  the  PGMEC  shall  receive  an  honoraria  chargeable  against  the
funds of the PRC, and in accordance with existing policies.
SECTloN  28.  Powers and Funcfjons.  - The  PGMEC  shall  ensure  the  quality  of
post-graduate medical education and training for all disciplines, specialties, and sub-
specialties   of  medical   residents   and   provide   policies   that  will   promote   humane
working  conditions  and  better  compensation  for  medical  residents.  Moreover,  the
PGMEC  shall  be  tasked  to  ensure  that  the  posnoraduate  medical  education  and
training  of doctors  shall  be  responsive  to  the  current  health  service  needs  of the
population.  In particular, it shall perform the following functions:
a)   Set the standards of post-graduate medical education and training;
b)   Ensure   that   the   standards   set  for   post-graduate   medical   education   and
training are at par with international standards;
c)   Accredit post-graduate medical education or training programs;
d)   Determine   whether   doctors    and    allied    health    professionals   who    have
undergone  post-graduate  medical  education  and  training  have  satisfactorily
completed the training;
e)   Issue   the   corresponding   certificates   to   residents   who   have   satisfactorily
completed   the   post-graduate   medical   education   and   training    in   either
government or private hospitals and  have passed the certifying examinations
conducted by the Committee on Training and Certification;
f)    Screen foreign graduates of medicine who will undergo post-graduate medical
education  and  training  in  the  country  and  assess  the  equivalence  of  their
basic   medical   education   to   the   standard   curriculum   prescribed    in   the
Philippine schools of medicines;
g)   ln  consultation  with  appropriate  agencies,  work  for  the  provision  of  better
compensation and benefits and humane working conditions for residents;
h)   Receive  and  act  on  complaints  of  residents  against  post-graduate  training
institutions as well as complaints of patients against residents;
i)    Ensure    that    post-graduate    medical    education    training    will    always    be
responsive to the health needs of the population;
j)    Maintain   a   registry   or   database   of   residents,   including   foreigners   with
temporary training permits and  Filipino doctor training or specializing overseas
and accredited post-graduate medical education and training programs;
k)   Monitor and evaluate post-graduate medical education and training  programs
regularly;
I)    Prescribe   remedial   measures   to   improve  deficient  post-graduate   medical
education and training programs; and
in)  Seek or request the assistance and support of any government agency, office
or   instrumentality   including   government-owned   or  controlled   corporations,


local   government   units   as   well    as    non-governmental    organizations    or
institutions in pursuance of its functions;
SECTION 29.  Accreditation  of Post-Graduate  Medical  Education and Training
Programs. - Post-graduate medical education  and training  programs  shall  only be
conducted in accredited post-graduate training institutions. The  PGMEC shall  be the
only  recognized  organization  that  shall  have  the  full  authority  over  post-graduate
medical  education  and  training  programs.  Upon  approval  of the  implementing  rules
and  regulations of this Act,  a  period  of one  (1) year shall  be given to allow time for
the transfer of accreditation from the different specialty and sub-specialty societies to
the  Committee  on  Accreditation  of the  PGMEC.  Furthermore,  certificates  shall  be
issued by PGMEC to doctors who have obtained their training and certification prior
to   the   passage   of  this  Act   upon  submission   of  certificates   issued   by  different
specialty or sub-specialty societies.
SECTloN   30.   Training   Curriculum   of   Post-Graduate   Medical   Education
Priograms.   -   The   training   officers   or  their  equivalent  shall   prepare   a   training
curriculum  that  shall  meet  the  standards  to  be  set  by  the  Committee  on  Policies,
Standards  and  Ethics  of the  OGMEC.  The  training  curriculum  shall  be  at  par with
international   standards   and   shall   be   responsive   to   the   health   needs   of   the
population. The Committee on  Policies, Standards and  Ethics shall be given one (1)
year  from  the  time  of  its  creation  to  prepare  uniform  standards  of  post-graduate
medical education programs.
SECTloN 31. Qualifications Of Applicants to Post-Graduate Medical Education
and  77ai-ni'ng  Programs.  -  The  following  shall  be  the  minimum  qualifications  of
applicants to post-graduate medical education programs:
a)   Passing score in the licensure examination;
b)   No previous criminal conviction or administrative liability, or both; and
c)   Clearance by the Board for foreign graduates of medicine.
The Board shall set such other qualifications that it may deem necessary.
SECTION 32. General Conditions for the Post-Graduate Medical Education and
7+ai.ni.ng of Forei.gr Medi-ca/ Graduates. - The following general conditions shall
be applied to foreign graduates of medicine who undergo medical residency training
in the  Philippines:
a)  Accredited  residency  training  programs  shall  be  allowed  to  accept  foreign
medical graduates in cases wherein no Filipino physicians are applying for the
same  vacancy.  Filipino  physicians  shall  be  given  the  first  priority  in  filing  up
vacancy for medical residents;
b)   Foreign  graduates  of  medicine  shall  secure  a  clearance  from  the   PRBM
before applying with any accredited residency training program;


c)   Foreign  graduates  shall   undergo  basic  language  course  in   Filipino  or  the
dialect,  or both,  that is  used  in the locality where the accredited  institution  is
located  before  commencing  medical  residency.  A certificate of proficiency  in
Filipino and the dialect of the locality shall be obtained by the foreign graduate
of  medicine  from  a  CHED-accredited  state  university  or  tertiary  education
institution   located   in   the   locality  where  the  foreign   graduate   in   medicine
wishes  to  undergo  post-graduate  medical  education  or  training  before  the
PRBM  may  issue  a  clearance.  For  accredited  institutions  located  in  areas
wherein  Filipino  is the  language  used  by the majority,  proficiency in  a  dialect
shall no longer be required;
d)   Foreign  graduates  of  medicine  shall  be  required  to  undergo  a  seminar  on
Philippine  history,  culture  and  government  as  well  as  the  Philippine  health
care  delivery  system  prior  to  the  commencement  of  post-graduate  medical
education or training and
e)   Foreign  graduates  of medicine  must have  no  previous  criminal  conviction  or
administrative liability in the  Philippines and their country of origin.
SECTION  33.  Work/-ng Col)d/1l.ons of Resi-dents. - The following  shall  be strictly
observed by all accredited post-graduate medical education or training institutions:
a)   No  resident  shall  be  allowed  to  go  on  duty  for  more  than  twenty-four  (24)
hours straight, except in extraordinary cases to be determined by the hospital
administrator;
b)   Residents  shall  be  entitled  to  at  least  one  day  off from  hospital  duty  every
week;
c)   Residents shall be given standard quarters in the hospital where they can stay
during their tour of duty;
d)   Residents  shall  only  perform  those  functions  that  are  related  to  their  post-
graduate medical education or training.  Their superiors are  hereby prohibited
from  issuing  orders  that  are  not  related  to  the  training  of  residents  or  are
demeaning to a resident's dignity as a person. The PGMEC shall receive and
investigate complaints of this nature from residents;
e)   Residents are entitled to adequate periods for meal breaks and personal care
during their tour of duty;
f)    Residents  shall  be  supervised  by their superior at all  times  especially when
performing  critical  procedures  on  patients.   In  case  of junior  residents,  the
senior  resident  or  consultant  shall  always  be  available  for  supervision  and
assistance, and in the case of senior residents, their consultants; and
g)   Residents   shall   be   treated   equally.    No   resident   shall   be   discriminated
because of gender, race, ethnicity or religion.
SECTION  34.  Sa/any and  Other Benefi-ts.  -  The  salary  grade  of  all  doctors  in
government  hospitals  and  clinics  shall  not  be  lower  than  Salary  Grade  22  in  the
position   classification  and  compensation   system  under  Republic  Act  No.   6758,
er\tiftled "An Act Prescribing a Revised Compensation  Position  classification  System


in the Government and for Other Purposes,  as Amended". They shall be entjitled to
overtime pay and  night differential pay for services  rendered  beyond eight (8)  hours
or  for  services  rendered  beyond  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening  to  six  o'clock  in  the
morning.   Hazard   pay   shall   be   given   as   stipulated   in   Republic   Act   No.   7305,
otherw-ise known  as the  "Magna  Carta  for Public  Health  Workers",  +or res-idents  Of
public hospitals.
SECTION 35. Profess/-ona/ Conduct of Res/.dents. - A resident shall observe the
following professional conduct at all times:
a)   Uphold the dignity, privacy, and rights of the patient;
b)   Perform  assigned  functions with  utmost diligence  especially those  related  to
care of patient so as not to inflict any harm on the patient;
c)   Refrain from engaging un unacceptable practices such as:
1.   Receiving any form of payment from their patients;
2.   Accepting     commission     from     laboratories,      diagnostic     facilities,
pharmacies for referring patients to these facilities;
3.   Obtaining  excess  and  unused  medicines,  drugs  and  other  materials
from patients or the supply source, without proper permission;
4.   Selling   medicines,   drugs   and   other   materials   to   patients   or   their
relatives;
5.   Selling free samples of drugs or other medicines; and
6.   Receiving  money  or  any  form  of  incentives  from  any  pharmaceutical
company  for  prescribing  their  brand  of  drugs,   medicines  and  other
materials;
d)  Treat superiors,  subordinates,  co-workers  and  patient's  relatives with  utmost
respect;
e)   Observe  the  provisions  of  Republic  Act  No.  6675,  otherwise  known  as  the
"Generi-cs Act of 7988" and  Republic Act  No.  9502,  otherwise  known  as  the
"Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008"-, and
f)    Render full-time  service to the  hospital where the  resident is  employed.  The
resident shall not engage in any part-time job outside the hospital.
SECTloN    36.     Responsibilities    of    Accredited     Post-Graduate    Medical
Edrcafi-on„rai.Ding /»sfr.fof7-ons.- ln addition to the enforcement of the provisions of
Section  33  of  this  Act,  accredited  post-graduate  medical  education  and  training
institutions shall have the following responsibilities:


a)   Regularly submit the names of residents undergoing training in their institution
and such other relevant information to the PRBM;
b)   Provide  the  necessary  logistics,  equipment,  and  other  medical  supplies  to
residents while undergoing post-graduate medical education and training; and
c)   Conduct  of  periodic  evaluation  of  competencies  acquired  by  residents  per
year level.
SECTION  37.  Grievance  System.  -  A  grievance  system  is  hereby  established
wherein any aggrieved party may seek redress in accordance with the following rules
and procedures:
a)  A  complaint  must  be  filed  with  the  Committee  on  Policies,  Standards  and
Ethics,  hereinafter referred  to as  the "Committee".  The  Committee  shall  rule
on the complaint through a notice of resolution within sixty (60) calendar days
from receipt thereof;
b)  An appeal from the decision of the Committee must be filed with the PGMEC
within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the notice of resolution;
c)    The  PGMEC shall  promptly and  expeditiously issue its decision or resolution
on   each   appeal   or  grievance  within   sixty  (60)   days  from  the   date   it  is
submitted to it for determination;
d)   Non-observance  of  the  periods  set  forth   in  this  Section  shall  subject  the
responsible officer or employee to the  penalties  prescribed  under Section  39
of this Act.
All  parties  shall  keep  the  proceedings  confidential  during  the pendency of the  case
before the Committee.
SECTION  38.  Hean.ng  Procedures  of fJ}e  Comm/.free,  -  Upon  the  filing  of the
complaint, the Committee, after consideration of the allegations thereof,  may dismiss
the  case  outrightly  due  to  lack  of verification,  or  for  failure  to  state  the  cause  of
action, or any other valid ground for the dismissal of the complaint after consultation
with  the  PGMEC,  or require the  respondent to  file  a  verified  answer within  five  (5)
days from service of summons.
In  case the respondent fails to answer the complaint with  the  reglementary five (5)-
day period hereinafter provided, the Committee,  mofu propn.o or upon motion of the
complainant,  render  judgment  as  may  be  warranted  by  the  facts  alleged  in  the
complaint and limited to what is prayed for therein.
After an  answer is filed  and  the  issues  are joined,  the  Committee shall  require the
parties  to  submit,  within  ten  (10)  days  from  receipt  of the  order,  the  affidavits  of
witnesses and  other evidence on the factual issues defined therein,  together with a
brief statement of their positions  setting  forth  the  law and  the  facts  relied  upon  by
them.  In the event that the Committee finds,  upon consideration of the pleadings, the
affidavits and other evidence,  and  position statements submitted  by the parties, that
a  judgment  may  be  rendered  thereon  without  need  of  a  formal  hearing,  it  may


proceed to  render judgment not later than ten  (10)  days from the submission of the
position statements of the parties.
In  cases  where  the  Committee  deems  it  necessary  to  hold  a  hearing  to  clarify
specific factual  matters  before  rendering judgment,  it shall  set the case for hearing.
At  such  hearing,  the  proponent  may  conduct a  direct examination  of witnesses  on
the  basis  of their affidavits  and  may  be  cross-examined  by the  adverse  party.  The
order setting  the  case for  hearing  shall specify the witnesses who will  be  called  to
testify,  and the matters which their examination will  pertain to.  The hearing shall  be
terminated  within  fifteen  (15)  days,  and  the  case  decided  upon  by  the  Committee
within fifteen (15) days from such termination.
The  decision  of  the  Committee  shall  become  final  and  executor  fifteen  (15)  days
after  notice  thereof:  Prov/.ded,  That  the  same  may  be  appealable  to  the  PGMEC
within  thirty  (30)  days  from  receipt of the  copy of the judgment appealed  from.  An
appellee  shall  be  given  fifteen  (15)  days  from  notice  to  file  a  memorandum  after
which the PGMEC shall decide on the appeal within sixty (6) days from the submittal
of the said pleadings.
The decision  of the  PGMEC  shall  also  become final  and  executor fifteen  (15)  days
after  notice  thereof:  Prov/.ded,  however,  That  the  same  may  be  reviewed  by  the
Supreme Court on purely questions of law in accordance with the Rules of Court.
The Committee and the PGMEC,  in the exercise of their quasi-judicial functions can
administer   oaths,   certify   to   official   acts   and   issue   subpoena   to   compel   the
attendance   and   testimony  of  witnesses,   and   subpoena   c/uces   fecum   and   ac/
tesft.ri.candum  to  enjoin  the  production  of  books,  papers  and  other  records  and  to
testify therein on any question arising out of this Act. Any case of contumacy shall be
dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Revised Administrative Code and
the  Rules of Court.  The  PGMEC or the  Committee on  Ethics,  as the case  may be,
shall prescribe the necessary administrative sanctions.
In  all  its  proceedings,  the  PGMEC  or  the  Committee  shall  not  be  bound  by  the
technical rules of evidence: Prov;.ded,  fina//y, That the Rules of Court shall apply with
suppletory effect.
SECTION 39.  Vfo/all-ons. -Any accredited residency training institution or any of its
resident,  or both that have been found violation any provisions of this Act shall  have
the following penalties:
First Offense -reprimand;
Second  Offense - suspension with  duration  depending  on  the  gravity of
the offense but not exceeding six (6) months;
Third  Offense  -  revocation  of the  accreditation  of the  training  institution,
and un the case of a resident on post-graduate training, non-issuance of a


certificate of completion  of post-graduate medical education or training  by
the PGMEC and removal from the residency training program.
ARTICLE Vll
REGULATION OF THE PRACTICE 0F THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
SECTION 40. Acts Constituting the Practice of Medicine. -The follcNI-ing are
acts constituting the practice of medicine;
a)   History  taking  and  physically  examining  any  person  for  any  disease,  injury
and  deformity,  or  diagnosing,  treating,  operating,  prescribing,  or  dispensing
any remedy therefor;
b)   History  taking  and  physical  examination  through  submission  of  photographs
and  videos  or  any  communication  through  telecommunication  or  electronic
means  for  any  disease,  injury  and  deformity;  diagnosing  and  prescribing  or
dispensing any remedy therefor through electronic means or telemedicine;
c)   Examining  a  person's  mental  condition  for  any  ailment,   real  or  imaginary,
regardless of the nature of the remedy or treatment administered, prescribed,
or recommended;
d)   Offering   or   undertaking   to   diagnose,    treat,    operate   or   prescribe,    and
administer any  remedy for any  human  disease,  injury,  deformity,  physical  or
mental    condition,    either   personally    or    by    means    of   signs,    cards    or
advertisements by way of mass media or any other means of communication;
e)   Using    or    affixing    "M.D."    to    the    physician's    name    in    written    or    oral
communications.   Unless  specified,  the  letters  "M.D."  shall  mean   Doctor  of
Medicine,  provided that only those who have passed the physician's licensure
examination are allowed to use the title "M.D."; and
0    Conducting  formal  medical  classes  in  medical  schools,  seminars,  lectures,
symposia and the like.
SECTION 41. Scope of ifedi.ca/ Pracri.ce. -The scope of the practice of medicine
is  the  application  of  medical  knowledge,  skill,  and  judgment  for  the  promotion  of
good  health;  the  prevention  and  treatment  of  physical,  mental,   or  psycho-social
diseases, disorders,  injuries, and conditions; the assessment and  management of a
physical,   mental,   or   psycho-social   disease,   disorder,   injury   or   condition   of  an
individual or group of individuals at any stage of the biological life cycle,  including the
prenatal and postmortem periods delivered either jn clinical or non-clinical settings.
a)   Clinical  Practice of Medicine
1.   General   Medical   Practice   refers   to   the   professional   practice   of  a
General  Physician  who  has  completed  basic  medical  education  and
medical  internship,  has  obtained  a  PRC  license,  and  is without or has


not completed any formal post graduate medical education and training
as defined in this Act.
A General  Physician  or  a  Specialist may  be  a  Primary  Care  Provider as
long as the defined competencies in Primary Care as certified by the DOH
as   provided   for  in   Republic  Act   No.   11223,   otherwise   known   as   the
``Universal Health Care Act", are obidirred.
Limited  Specialty Care Practice refers to the clinical  practice of a General
Physician  with  additional  credentials  to  independently  provide  particular
emergency and  essential  healthcare services in  locations where specialist
physicians  are  unavailable  or inaccessible,  obtained  after undergoing  the
necessary   qualifications   and   training   as   may   be   determined   by   the
respective  PRBM-recognized  professional specialty organization  or board
and monitored regularly by the same.
2.   Specialty  Medical   Practice  refers   to  the   professional   practice  of  a
Specialist  Physician  who  is  a  licensed  physician  and  has  completed
additional   formal   post-graduate   medical   education   or  training   in   a
distinct   clinical   medical   discipline   focused   on   a   defined   group   of
patients,  diseases,  skills,  or  philosophy  and  has  been  certified  by  the
PGMEC   Committee   on   Training   and   Certification.   The   scope   of
specialty medical  practice  refers to the diagnosis  and  management of
specific conditions as defined by the PGMEC.
b)   Non-Clinical Practice of Medicine
This refers to the practice of the profession wherein the physician  is engaged  in the
application  of  medical  knowledge  in  the  fields  of  health  research,   basic  medical
education,   public  health  and  health  systems,  health  communications,   healthcare
industry and administration among others.
SECTloN  42.  &cepri.ons.  -  For  purposes  of this  Act,  the  following  shall  not  be
considered   as   engaging   in   the   practice   of   medicine:   Prov/.ded,   That  they   are
attending to patients under the direct supervision and control and  under presence of
a duly licensed physician.
a)   Medical students and clinical clerks, and interns attending to patients;
b)   Foreigners  who  intend  to  undergo  or are  undergoing  post-graduate  medical
education  and  training  or  otherwise  under  training  shall  obtain  the  required
special permit from the PRC;
c)   Any   non-medical   person   trained,   certified,   licensed   to  carry  out  specific
interventions   in   emergency   situations   to   save   lives   and   prevent   injury
according   to   the   level   of  competence   determined   by   their   training   and
certifying examinations;
d)   Non-medical educators who have attained a master's or a doctoral degree on
a specific field in the basic sciences in the medical field; and


e)   Practitioners   of   Traditional    and    Complementary   Medicine   Modalities   or
systems  who  are   regulated   by  the   Philippine   Institute  of  Traditional   and
Alternative Health Care (PITAHC).
SECTION 43. Rec/-proc/.fy. -A foreigner may be allowed to practice medicine in the
Philippines  without  having  to  undergo  the  physicians'  licensure  examination,  if and
when,   the  country  of  which  the  foreigner  is  a  citizen   allows   Filipino  citizens  to
practice medicine under the same conditions such as the following:
a)  The country of which the foreigner is  a citizen,  imposes the same academic
and training requirements for its citizens to be able to practice medicine;
b)  There   is   a   reciprocity   agreement,   executive   agreement   or   international
agreement,  or  treaty  to  this  effect,  signed  by  both  the  government  of  the
Philippines and the country of which the foreigner is a citizen; and
c)   The foreigner must show documents equivalent to the PRC ID or Certificate of
Registration attesting that the foreign country's regulatory boards of medicine
have allowed the foreigner to practice the medical profession.
SECTION 44. Special Permits to Practice Medicine in the Philippines. - ln the
absence  of a  reciprocity agreement,  executive agreement,  international  agreement,
or treaty,  a foreigner may be allowed to practice medicine in the  Philippines subject
to the following conditions:
a)   The foreigner must obtain a special permit from the PRC;
b)   The special permit shall specify the purpose, limitations, place of practice, and
such other conditions may be imposed by the PRC such as:
1.   A period of not more than one (1) year, subject to renewal or extension:
Prov/.dec/,   That  the  renewal  or  extension  shall   be  under  the  same
process and requirements as hereinabove described;
2.   The specific area of medical specialization;
3.   The specific  place of practice,  such  as clinic,  hospital,  center,  medical
school as the case may be;
c)   Payment of the required fees; and
d)   Undertaking that the foreigner shall conduct oneself according to the Code of
Ethics of Medical Practice in the Philippines.
The PRC may issue a special permit to a foreigner not covered by any reciprocity
or  agreement  treaty  required   under  Section   43   hereof  under  the  following
guidelines:
1.   Physicians who are citizens of and  licensed  in foreign countries whose
services are for free:  Prov;-ded,  That a reasonable honorarium may be
allowed   for   daily   subsistence   during   the   stay   or   service   in   the
Philippines;
2.   Physicians  who  are  internationally  well-known  specialists  or  publicly
acknowledged as experts in any area of medical specialization; and


3.   Physicians of foreign countries whose services are urgently necessary,
owing  to  the  lack  of  available  local  specialists  or  experts,  or  for  the
promotion  or  advancement  of the  practice  of  medicine  including,  the
conduct of formal classes or training, and acting as resource persons in
medical seminars, for a, and symposia;
4.   Physicians   licensed   in  foreign  countries  who  intend  to   render  free
medical  services  to  indigent patients  in  a  particular Philippine  hospital,
center  or clinic:  Prov/.ded,  That  they  render such  services  under the
direct supervision and control of a duly licensed Filipino physician;  and
5.   Physicians   licensed    in   foreign   countries   employed   as   exchange
professors in any area of medical specialization.
SECTION  45.  Administrative  Investigation  and  Disciplinary  Actions.  -  The
PRBM shall have the power, upon proper notice and hearing, after finding of guilt, to
suspend  from the practice of profession or revoke the certificate of registration of a
physician,   or  issue   a   reprimand   or  cancel  the   special   or  temporary  permit  or
temporary  training   permit  issued  to  a  foreign   physician  for  any  of  the  following
grounds or causes:
a)   Final  conviction  by  a  court  of competent jurisdiction  of any  criminal  offense
involving moral turpitude;
b)   Immoral or dishonorable conduct;
c)   Mental incapacity;
d)   Fraud  in  the  acquisition  of the certificate  of registration  and  the  professional
identification card or temporary or special permit or temporary training permit;
e)   Gross    negligence,    ignorance   or   incompetence    in   the   practice   of   the
profession, resulting in an injury to or death of the patient;
f)    Addiction to alcoholic beverages, any habit-forming drug, or any form of illegal
gambling, rendering the foreigner incompetent to practice the profession;
g)   Making  or  causing  to  be  made  false,  misleading,  extravagant  or  unethical
advertisements  or  making  or  causing  o  be  made  advertisements  wherein
things  other  than  the  name,  profession,   limitation  of  practice,  clinic  hours,
office and home address are mentioned;
h)   lssuance of any false statement or spreading any false news or rumor which
is  derogatory  to  the  character  and  reputation  of  another  physician  without
justifiable motive;
i)    Knowingly  issuing  any  false  medical  certificates  or  findings  or  making  any
fraudulent claims with government or private health insurance;
j)    Performance of, aiding in, any criminal abortion;
k)   AIlowing  one's self as the dummy  physician  or as tool  of any person who  is
unqualified  or unlicensed to  practice general or specialty medicine,  except in
aid  of training  of a  medical student or resident physician:  Prov/.ded,  however,
That  this  provision  shall  not  apply  when  an  act  constituting  the  practice  of
general or specialty medicine is performed in an accredited  hospital, clinic,  or


medical  center  or  by  an  accredited  practitioner.  A  dummy  physician  is  one
who makes it appear to be the person who has actually treated a patient when
in   fact  it  was   another  person,   and   on   the   basis   of  which,   accepted   a
professional fee;
I)    Abetting  or  assisting  in  the  illegal  practice  by  a  person  who  is  not  lawfully
qualified to practice medicine, either general or specialty medicine;
in)  Using  or advertising  any title or description  tending  to  convey the  impression
to the general public that one is a specialist in a medical field when in fact one
is  not;
n)   Practicing the profession during the  period  of one's suspension  or during the
period one's license is revoked;
o)   Willful failure or refusal to be a member of good standing of the lNPOP; and
p)   Violation  of any  provision  of the Code  of Ethics  for  Physicians  as  prescribed
by the lNPOP, subject to approval by the PRC.
SECTION 46. Ri.ghfs of the Parti.es. - The private complainant and the respondent
physician  shall  be entitled the right to  be heard  and the  assistance of a counsel,  to
have  a  speedy,  impartial  public  hearing,  to confront and  to  meet the witnesses,  to
compulsory  processes  to  secure  the  attendance  of  witnesses,  the  production  of
evidence,  and  to  all  other  rights  guaranteed  by  the  Constitution  and  the  Rules  of
Court.  All  cases  filed  or  pending  under  this  Act,  except  those  filed  or  pending  in
courts  and  other  quasi-judicial  and  investigative  bodies,  shall  not  be  discussed  or
taken up in any other forum until after the same shall have been decided with finality,
SECTION 47.  Appea/ from Jqdgmenf.  - The  decision  of the  PRC  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  PRBM shall be allowed. A decision of suspension,
revocation  of the certificate  of registration  or removal from the  roll  of physicians  by
the  PRBM as  provided  herein  may be appealed to the  PRC within fifteen  (15)  days
from receipt thereof.
SECTION   48.   Re-issuance   of   Revoked   Certificate   of   Registration   and
Professional   Identification   Card,   and   Replacement   Of   Lost   Certificate   of
Registration and Identification Card. - After two (2) years, the PF`BM may order
the reinstatement of any physician whose certificate of registration has been revoked
if the respondent has shown or has acted in an exemplary manner in the community.
A  new  certificate  of  registration  or  professional   identification  card   may  then   be
issued, subject to the rules imposed by the PRC.
SIC;TloN 49.  Mandatory  use of Certificate of Registration,  Professional  and
Integrated    National    Professional    Organization    Of    Physicians    (INPOP)
Membership   Card   and   Professional   Tax   Receipt   Number.  -   A  regis,tered


physician  shall  indicate  the  certificate  of registration  number,  the  number  and  the
expiry date of the  professional  identification card and  lNPOP membership card,  and
the Professional Tax Receipt number on the prescription and other documents used
or issued in connection with the practice of profession.
SECTION 50.  Vesfed Ri-ghts. - All physicians  registered at the time this Act takes
effect shall be automatically registered under the provisions hereof, without prejudice
to their compliance with other requirements herein set forth.
All  physicians  whose  names  appear  at  the  roll  of  physicians  at  the  time  of  the
effectivity of this Act shall automatically be registered  by the PRBM and the  PRC as
physicians  and,  thereafter,  by  the  lNPOP  as  its  bona  fi.de  members  pursuant  to
Section 26 of this Act.
ARTICLE VIIl
INTEGRATED PHYSICIANS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES
SECTION 51. /nfegrafi.on of the profess/-on. -The profession shall  be  integrated
into  one  (1)  Integrated  National  Professional Organization  of Physicians  (lNPOP)  to
be  duly  recognized  by  the  PRBM  and  the  PRC.  A  physician  duly  registered  and
licensed  by  the  PRBM  and  the  PRC  shall  automaticall;  become  a  member of the
lNPOP  and   shall   receive  the   benefits  and   privileges   appurtenant  thereto   upon
payment of the required reasonable fees and dues.  Membership in the  lNPOP shall
not be a bar to membership jn any other association of physicians.
Within  six  (6)  months  from  the  enactment  of  this  law,  there  shall  be  created  a
Commission on medical Profession Integration headed by the PRC Chairperson or a
duly    authorized     representative,     and    representatives    from    existing     medical
associations as  members,  which shall supervise and oversee the integration of the
medical  profession  into  one  national  professional  organization  of  Physicians,  the
creation of its constitution and by-laws and election of officers. The Commission shall
cease to exist upon the establishment of the INPOP.
SECTION  52.  Investigative  and  Recommendatory  Power  of  the  Integrated
National Professional Organization of Physicians. -The lNPOP, herein created,
shall  have  the  power  to  investigate  violations  of this  Act,  Code  of  Ethics,  and  the
pertinent  rules  and  regulations,  administrative  policies,  orders  and  issuances.  The
rules on administrative investigation promulgated  by the lNPOP shall govern in such
proceeding.
If   the   complaint   appears   to    be   meritorious,    the   organization    shall    issue   a
recommendation  and  initiate  proper  charges  against  erring  physicians  before  the
PRBM.


If the  complaint does  not merit action,  or if the  answer shows to the satisfaction  of
the  organization  that the  complaint is  not  meritorious,  the  same  may  be  dismissed
upon their recommendation. The PRBM may review the case mofu propr/.o or upon
timely  appeal  of  the  complainant  filed  within  fifteen  (15)  days  from  notice  of  the
dismissal of the complainant.
SECTION 53.  Mandatory  Continuing  Professional  Development.  - The  PF`BM
shall  implement  a  mandatory  continuing  professional  development  for  physicians
consistent with the guidelines of the Continuing  Professional Development (CPD)  as
shall hereafter be promulgated by the PRC.
ARTICLE IX
PENAL PROVISIONS
SECTloN 54. Pena/ti.es. -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    (P200,000.00)    but    not    exceeding    Five    Hundred    Thousand     Pesos
(P500,000.00), or both, upon the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon:
a)  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  or  temporary  training   permit   in
accordance with the provisions of this Act;
b)  Any   person   using   or  attempting   to   use   as   one's   own   the   certificate   of
registration  or  professional  identification  card  or  temporary/special  permit  or
temporary training permit duly issued to another;
c)   Any person who shall give any false or forged documents, credentials and any
other proof of any kind to the PRBM or PRC in order to obtain a certificate of
registration  or  professional  identification  card  or temporary/special  permit  or
temporary training permit;
d)  Any person who shall falsely present oneself as a bona #de registrant with like
or different nana;
e)  Any  person  who  shall  attempt to  use  a  revoked  or suspended  certificate  of
registration or a cancelled or expired temporary/special permit;
D    Any  person  who  shall  use  or  advertise  any  title  or  description  tending  to
convey  the  impression  to  the  general  public  that  one  is  a  registered  and
licensed physician or specialist when in fact one is not; and
g)  Vvhen  any  of  the  acts  defined   in   paragraphs   1   and   5  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 conspire with  one
another,  or  when  death  occurs  as  result  of the  commission  of  the  of  the
prohibited act mentioned in paragraph (k) of Section 45 of this Act, the offense


shall  be  considered   as  a  qualified   offense  and  shall   be  punished   by  life
imprisonment  and  a  fine  of  not  less  than  Five  Hundred  Thousand   Pesos
(P500,000.00)    but   not   more   than   Two   Million    Pesos   (P2,000,000.00).
prosecution of offense under this Act shall  be without prejudice to a separate
prosecution under the provisions of the Revised Penal Code and other laws.
SECTION 55. Wed/.ca/ Ma/pracfi.ce. -Any physician who recklessly fails to meet the
standards  demanded  by  the  profession,  or  grossly  deviates  from  the  standard  of
care,  and causes  injury to the patient, which would  have been a felony had  it been
intentional,   shall   be  guilty  of  medical  malpractice  and   be  punishable  with  a  fine
ranging   from   One   Hundred   Thousand   Pesos   (P100,000.00)   to   Two   Hundred
Thousand   Pesos  (P200,000.00)  or  imprisonment  of  three  (3)   months  to  six  (6)
months upon the discretion of the court, or both.
If malpractice  results  in  permanent disability or irreversible  injury,  the violators  shall
be  liable with  a  fine  ranging  from Two  Hundred  Thousand  Pesos  (P200,000.00)  to
Five  Hundred  Thousand  Pesos  (P500,000.00)  or  six  (6)  months  to  one  (1)  year
imprisonment, or both, upon the discretion of the court.
If  the  malpractice  results  in  death,  the  penalty  shall  be  a  fine  ranging  from  Five
Hundred  Thousand  Pesos  (P500,000.00)  to  Two  Million  Pesos  (P2,000,000.00)  or
two  (2)  to  five  (5)  years  imprisonment,  or  both,  and  revocation  of license  upon  the
discretion of the court.
This  is without  prejudice to the filing  of appropriate  civil  action  for damages  by the
offended party before the courts of competent jurisdiction.
SECTION  56.  Cease and Des/-sf Order. - Upon written  motion  by  any  interested
party and after notice and hearing, the PRBM may issue a cease and desist order to
a person not authorized to practice medicine. However,  if it is shown in the affidavit/s
attached to the motion that the movant or the general public will suffer grave injustice
or  irreparable   injury,   the  Chairperson  of  the   PRBM,   or  upon  the  Chairperson's
absence, any PRBM member holding office within seventy-two (72) hours the cease
and desist order. The Rules of the Court is suppletory for this purpose.
The PRBM and  PRC shall file an appropriate case for contempt of court against any
person who fails or refuses to obey the cease and desist order.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 57. Amua/ Report, -The PRBM shall, on or before the end of January of
the year following the enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter, submit to the


PRC  its  annual  report  of accomplishments  on  programs,  projects  and  activities  for
the  calendar  year  together  with   its  appropriate  recommendations  on  issues   or
problems affecting the practice of medicine.
SECTION 58. Appropn.afi-oms. -The amount necessary to carry out the provisions
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SECTION  59.  Implementing  Rules  and  Regulations.  - W-ith-in  r\-inety  (90)  days
after the  approval  of this Act,  the CHED and  PRC,  in  consultation  and  coordination
with appropriate government agencies,  representatives from the private sector,  and
other   stakeholders,    shall    promulgate   the    necessary   implementing    rules    and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SECTloN  60.  7+ansi.tory Proyi-si.ons.  -  The  incumbent  Board  of  Medicine  shall
continue  to  function  in  the  interim  until  such  time  as  the  PRBM  shall  have  been
constituted pursuant to this Act.
SECTION  61.  Saparabi./fry  C/ause.  -If  any  part  or  provision  of this  Act  is  held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining  parts or provisions not affected shall remain
in full force and effect.
SECTION 62. Rapea/i.ng C/ause. - Republic Act No. 2382, otherwise known as the
Medical  Act of  1959,  Republic Act  No.1243,  otherwise  known  as  The  Law on  the
Tenure  of  Office  of  Hospital   Residents  in  Government  Training   Hospitals  Under
DOH,  Republic Act No.  2251,  amending  Section  1  of Republic Act No.1243,  the Act
Providing  for  the  Tenure  of  Office  of  Hospital  Residents  in  Government  Training
Hospitals under the DOH,  Republic Act No. 5901, otherwise known as Forty Hours a
Week   of   Labor   for   Government   and    Private    Hospitals   or   Clinic   Personnel,
Presidential  Decree No.  1424, otherwise known as the Hospital Residency Law,  and
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, superseded, or repealed accordingly.
SECTION  63.  Effecl7.yi.fy.  -This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its
publication  in  the  Offlci.a/  Gazeffe  or  in  a  newspaper  of  general  circulation  in  the
Phi[ippines-
Approved,