Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HB. no,_2039

Introduced By: HON. IRWIN C. TIENG
and HON. MARIANO MICHAEL M. VELARDE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Medical Association, Inc. (PMA), an association of
physicians licensed iné in the country, has been in existence
since 1903, but has not been integrated since then. It is about time to unify the
members to organize and fortify their action and participation so that the
objectives of the medical profession may be readily achieved. Thus, the
complete unification of the profession is necessary, but it could nét be possible
unless it is dictated by the State, through its police power. This means that the
State has the power to promulgate such laws that may promote public health,
safety, morale and the general prosperity and welfare of its inhabitants

As provided in the Code of Ethics of the Medical Profession in the
Philippines, the primary objective of the practice of medicine is service to
mankind irrespective of race, creed, or political affiliation. It further states that in
its practice, rev fi ial gain shouk @ subordinate consideration. In
fact, he well deserv ”

Medical practice, like the legal profession, is not a business. It is a
privilege and not a right. It is a privilege vested with public interest. Medical
practitioners play an essential role in the safeguard and maintenance of public
health and safety. However, it cannot be denied that there are practitioners who,
for selfish motives, resort to medical malpractice, contrary to what they have
pledged during their oath upon passing the Medical Board Examinations.

This Bill seeks to provide an official unification of all the medical
practitioners in the Philippines. This requires membership and financial support
of every physician as conditions sine qua non to the practice of medicine and to
the retention of his name in the list of licensed physicians in good standing. In so
doing, the members will be guided of their responsibilities, at the same time, the
public will have another venue in which to air their grievances.

Early passage of this Bill is eamestly sought in order that the Integrated
Professional Medical Association of the Philippines will have the power to hear
and decide cases filed before it for the suspension and/ or revocation of the
licensgs of the erring medical practitioners, subject to such rules and regulations
it may Are

IRWIN C. be MARIANO MICHAEL M. VELARDE



REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H.No,_2039

Introduced By: HON. IRWIN C. TIENG
and HON. MARIANO MICHAEL M. VELARDE

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE INTEGRATION OF THE PHILIPPINE MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION, AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES THEREOF

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Integrated
Professional Medical Association of the Philippines Act 2007”.

Section 2. Declaration of State Policy. — It is the policy of the State to
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.

Integrating or unifying all the licensed medical practitioners into one
national organization, like the legal profession, is a way of recognizing the social
function of the medical profession, while protecting the well-being of the public.

Section 3. Integration. — The Philippine Medical Association, Inc. (PMA)
shall be organized into a national organization of all licensed medical
practitioners and shall be known as the Integrated Professional Medical
Association of the Philippines (IPMAP)

Section 4. Membership. - All those who passed the Medical Board
Examinations and registered with the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC) shall be required to be members of the IPMAP. Their meinbership is a
condition sine qua non to their practice of medicine. They shall also be required
to pay a reasonable annual membership fee as financial support to the
organization.

Section 5. Organization. The existing organizational structure of the
PMA as a non-stock, non-profit corporation duly registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC), its specialty societies and component medical
societies shall be retained upon integration

Section 6. Powers and Duties.- In addition to the powers and duties of
the existing PMA, the IPMAP shall have the power to receive and hear
complaints against its members. It shall prescribe rules and regulations for the
conduct of its proceedings so as not to prejudice the rights of both the members


and complainants.

Section 7. Grounds.- Any person may file a verified complaint before
the IPMAP for the suspension and revocation of the certificate or registration of a
member on the following grounds:

a. Gross negligence, ignorance or incompetence in the practice of
his/ her profession resulting to death or physical injury to a
person;

b Conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal

offense involving moral turpitude;

Immoral or dishonorable conduct;

Insanity;

4 Fraud in the acquisition of certificate of registration and
professional license and/ or renewal thereof;

ft Addiction to alcoholic beverages or any habit-forming drug,

rendering him incompetent to practice his or her profession, or

to any form of gambling:

False or extravagant or unethical advertisements;

Performing or aiding in any criminal abortion;

Knowingly issuing any false medical certificate;

Issuing any statement or spreading any hews or humor which is

derogatory to the character and reputation of another physician

without justifiable motive;

k. Aiding or acting as a dummy of unqualified or unregistered
person to practice medicine; or

1 Violation of the Code of Ethics of the PMA

ao

-=2e.

Section 8. Penalties. - The IPMAP, considering the rights of the
members as the respondents, in addition to the criminal and administrative
sanctions imposable for violations of existing laws, may suspend or revoke the
licenses of its members, subject to the rules and regulations it may prescribe.

Sections 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The IPMAP, in
coordination with the PRC, shall prescribe the cules and regulations for the
proper implementation of this Act, guided by the Medical Act of 1959, as
amended by R.A. 2382, R.A. 4224, and as further amended by R.A. 5946.

Section 10. Separability Clause. The provisions of this Act are hereby
declared separable and in the event that any such provision is declared
unconstitutional, the other provisions shall remain in force and effect.

Section 11. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from
the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or at least in two (2) newspapers
of general circulation.

Approved,