Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Ast Regular Session

6573
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE MARICEL G. NATIVIDAD-NAGANO, MD

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to repeal Republic Act No. 2382 or the Philippine Medical Act of 1959
with the intention of coming up with a new law defining the parameters in
regulating the education of and medical practice of physicians at a period when
advances in medical science and technology is predominant necessitating
proportionate and proactive response by the state as a whole and by Congress of
the Philippines in particular.

This representation is hopeful that when enacted into law, this measure will
provide the answers in our quest to produce globally competitive Filipino doctors”
in support of the goal to provide the best medical services for all.

To reiterate, this bill was approved on third and final reading during the 12", 13*,
14" and 15" Congresses, underwent exhaustive discussions, extensive debates in
both the committee and plenary levels but unfortunately failed to see the light of
day for lack of material time on the part of the Senate.

The immediate passage of this bill is therefore earnestly sought.

See Mp


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Ist Regular Session, 23

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE MARICEL G. NATIVIDAD-NAGANO, MD

AN ACT
REGULATING THE EDUCATION AND LICENSURE OF PHYSICIANS AND THE PRACTICE OF
MEDICINE IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 2382, AS
AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

ARTICLE |
TITLE, POLICY, OBJECTIVES AND ENFORCEMENT

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Physicians Act of 2020”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The state recognizes the vital role of physicians in the
preservation, maintenance, safeguard, cure and enhancement of life, health, and general
welfare of the citizenry. Physicians' professional services shall, therefore, be promoted as an
indispensable component of the total health care system.

SEC. 3. Objectives. — This Act provides for and shall govern the:

(a) Standardization, upgrading, and regulation of the medical education including
postgraduate internship and residency training program.

(b) Conduct of the physician’s licensure examination, licensure and registration of
the physicians.

(c) Supervision and regulation of the practice of medicine.

(d) Integration of the profession under one national Accredited Professional
Organization (APO) of Physicians; and

(e) Upholding of competence, moral values and professional ethics of members of
the medical profession.


SEC. 4. Enforcement. - For the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Act,
there shall be created the following: Council of Medical Education hereinafter referred to as
the CME, Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine, hereinafter referred to as the PRBM;
and Medical Residency Board, hereinafter referred to as the MRB.

ARTICLE II
‘THE COUNCIL OF MEDICAL EDUCATION

SEC. 5. Creation ~ The Council of Medical Education shall be created and composed
of the following:

(a) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) or his duly
authorized representative as Chairperson, and who shall act as the chairperson of
the CME;

(b) The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) or his duly authorized
representative as member;

(c) The Chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine (PRBM) or his
duly authorized representative as member;

(d) The President of the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of
Physicians or a duly authorized representative as member; and

(e) The President of the national association of medical schools duly recognized by
the PRC or his/her duly authorized representative as member;

(f) The President of the national association of hospitals duly recognized by the
Department of Health or his/her duly authorized representative as member.

The Chairperson and members of the CME shall hold office during their incumbency
in the respective institutions that they represent.

The CME, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, shall appoint a technical
panel composed of six (6) outstanding members of the academe or the profession whose
responsibility is to assist the Council of Medical Education in carrying out its functions and
powers.

The public officials shall perform their duties as such without compensation or
remuneration, subject to reasonable per diem allowances as approved by the Council 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 diem and representation allowances chargeable against
the funds of the CHED, as approved by the Council, subject to existing rules and regulations
of the DBM.


SEC. 6. Functions and Duties. — The Council of Medical Education shall have the
following functions and duties:

(a) To authorize the opening and recognize new medical schools upon compliance
with the minimum requirements;

(b) To determine the minimum requirements for physical facilities of medical schools
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 and others that are necessary for
didactic and practical instruction in accordance with modern trends;

(c) To determine the minimum number and the standard qualifications of
administrative and teaching personnel including student-teacher ratio;

(d) To determine the minimum required curriculum leading to the degree of Doctor
of Medicine, including internship;

(e) To authorize the implementation of an acceptable innovative medical curriculum
or strategy in a medical school that has exceptional faculty, equipment and
facilities, Such an innovative curriculum may prescribe admission and graduation
requirements other than those prescribed in this Act: Provided, that only
exceptional students shall be enrolled in the innovative curriculum;

(f) To determine the minimum requirements of admission into a recognized college
of medicin

(g) To develop and put into place programs as well as adopt and implement policies
which will encourage and allow applicants coming from marginalized areas and /
or groups as well as financially challenged families to be admitted into medical
colleges and complete their medical education;

(h) To accept applications and issue certificates of eligibility for admission to a medical
school and keep registry of the same; and to collect from applicant's reasonable
fees which shall accrue to its operating funds;

(i) To recommend to the CHED the closure or suspension of the degree of Doctor of
Medicine program of a medical school be reason of poor performance in the
physicians licensure examination over a given period of time based on statistical
data furnished by the PRMB, or upon inspection of the medical school by the CME
by reasons of various deficiencies or violations;

() To 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 medical education is not treated merely as a business enterprise but one with
a social dimension;


{k) To approve hospitals or specific departments of certain hospitals for medical
education and internship training that comply with the minimum requirement for
physical facilities as provided for in subparagraph (b) hereof; and

()) To promulgate, prescribe and enforce the necessary rules and regulations for the
proper implementation of the forgoing functions.

SEC. 7. Minimum Required Course. — The medical course leading to the degree of
Doctor of Medicine shall be five (5) years inclusive of clinical clerkship and internship.
Provided however, that there shall be no tuition fee for internship, and shall consist of the
following subjects:

(a) Human Anatomy including Gross, Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy;

(b) Human Physiology;

(©) Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics and Basic Nutrition;

(d) Pharmacology and Therapeutics including Alternative medicines;

(e) Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology;

() Internal Medicine, including Geriatrics and Dermatology;

(g) General and Clinical Pathology, Surgical Pathology and Oncology;

(h) Obstetrics and Gynaecology including Women’s Health;

(i) Paediatrics and Nutrition including Child protection;

() General Surgery and its divisions;

(k) Anesthesiology and Pain Management;

() Orthopedics;

(m)Otorhinolaryngology;

(n) Ophthalmology;

(0) Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences;

(p) Basic and Clinical Neurosciences;

(q) Family and Community Medicine including Public Health, Preventive Medicine
and Health Economics;

(r) Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine;

(s) History and Perspectives in Medicine;


(8) Research, Evidence-based Medicine and Medical Informatics;
(u) Legal Medicine, Medical Jurisprudence and Forensic Medicine; and
(v) Radiology and other diagnostic imaging

Provided, that the CME may recommend to the CHED the re-clustering or integration
of subjects as may be necessary to fit into the five-year course of Doctor of Medicine.

SEC. 8. Admission Requirements and Publication of Academic Catalogue. - A
medical school may admit any student who has not been finally convicted by a court of
competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude and who presents all
the following:

a. Record showing completion of a bachelor's degree in Science or Arts;

b. Certificate of eligibility for entrance to a school of medicine from the Board of
Medical Education;

c. Certificate of good moral character issued by two (2) former professors in the
college offering the pre-medical course(s);

irth Certificate duly authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);
and

e. Proof of successfully passing the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT)
based on cut-off score prescribed by the CHED.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any medical school imposing further
requirements, in addition to the requirements set forth in this section relevant to the degree.

Only medical schools externally accredited by agencies recognized by the Council may
accept foreign medical students.

For the purpose of this Act, the term “Medical Schoo!” shall mean to include faculty
of medicine, institute of medicine, school of medicine and other similar institution which has
complied with the standards and requirements set forth by the Council offering a complete
medical course leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

Every medical school shall keep complete records of enrollment, grades, graduates and
must publish each year a catalogue giving the following information:

1. Date of publication

2. Calendar of academic year


3. Roll of faculty members indicating whether on full time or part time basis and their
curriculum vitae

4. Requirements for admission

5. Grading system

6. Requirements for promotion

7. Requirements for graduation

8. Curriculum and description of course by department; and

9. Number of students enrolled in each class in the preceding year

ARTICLE Ill
‘THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD FOR MEDICINE

SEC. 9. Creation. - There is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of
Medicine, hereinafter referred to as the PBRM, under the administrative control and
supervision of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC). The PRBM shall be composed
of a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and five (5) members. Each vacant position of the PBRM
shall be filled by the President of the Republic of the Philippines from a list of three (3)
nominees submitted by the AIPO of physicians, as provided under Section 48 of this Act. The

PBRM shall be organized not later than six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 10. Powers and Duties. - The PBRM shall be vested with the following specific
powers, functions, duties and responsibilities:

(a) Supervise, control and regulate the practice of medicine in the Philippin

(b) Determine and evaluate qualifications of the applicants for the physician’s
licensure examinations and applicants for special permits to practice medicine in
the Philippines;

{c) Prepare the questions in physicians’ licensure examinations in accordance with
recognized principles of evaluation and of pertinent provisions of Section 19
Article IV 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;

(d) In the formulation of test questions, the PBRM shall see to it that the questions
shall have relevant distributions as to the knowledge, skill and attitude of the
‘examinees;


(e) Determine, amend or revise the requirements for the subjects in the physician
licensure examination and their relative weights and the manner of giving the
‘examination, subject to the approval of the PRC;

(f) To explore and develop ways on how to measure and evaluate the clinical
competence of applicants and to introduce and integrate the same into the
physician’s licensure examination to ensure not only the theoretical knowledge
but also the clinical skills of successful examinees

(g) Register successful examinees on the physician licensure examination in the rolls
of physician and issue the corresponding certificates of registration;

(h) Issue special/temporary permits to foreign physicians to practice medicine for
specific projects, duration of time and place of practice;

(i) Administer the qualifying examinations for foreign physicians who wish to train in
the Philippines for a specialty or field of practice;

() Monitor the conditions affecting the practice of medical profession, adopt
measures for the enhancement of the quality of the education and practice of
medicine in coordination with the appropriate regulatory bodies;

(k) In coordination with the CHED, monitor the performance of medical schools and
their compliance with the rules and regulations of the Council of Medical
Education;

(1) In coordination with the AIPO of physicians, promulgate rules and regulation
including a Code of Ethics for Physicians, administrative policies, orders and
issuances to carry out the provisions of this Act;

(m)Conduct regular quality assurance programs and activities to ensure quality
medical education;

(n) Investigate violations of this Act, Code of Ethics, and the pertinent rules and
regulations, administrative policies, orders and issuances. The rule on
administrative investigation promulgated by the PRC shall govern in such
investigation.

(0) Issue subpoena ad testificandum or subpoena duces tecum to secure attendance
of respondents or witnesses as well as the production of documents. Provided,
that failure of the party to whom a subpoena has been issued to comply therewith
shall be punishable by way of indirect contempt. For this purpose, the PBRM 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;

{p) Delegate to the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson or any member of the PBRM, with
the assistance of the legal division of the PRC, the hearing of an administrative


case. If the case concerns strictly the practice of medicine as defined in Section 38,
Article VI hereof, the investigation shall be presided over by a member of the
PBRM with the assistance of the legal division of the PRC;

(q) After due notice and hearing, cancel examination papers and/or bar any examinee
from future examination; refuse or defer his/her registration; reprimand the
registrant with stern warning; suspend one from the practice of the profession;
revoke the certificate of registration; cancel special/temporary training permit;
remove his/her name from the roll of physicians for continuous non-payment of
annual registration fees and non-compliance with the continuing Professional
Development (CPD) requirements, reinstate or reenroll his/her name in the said
roll, and reissue or return his/her certificate of registration and professional
identification card. A decision of suspension, revocation of the certificate of
registration or removal from the roll by the Board as provided herein may be
appealed to the Commission within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof;

(r) Administer the Physician's Oath pursuant to Sec. 24, Rule IV herein;

(s) Institute and prosecute or cause to be instituted and prosecuted any and all
criminal action against any violation of this Act and/or the rules and regulations of
the Board subject to the provisions of Section 5, Rule 110 of the Rules on Criminal
Procedure, as amended;

(t) Adopt an official seal;

(u) Coordinate with the CME and the AIPO of physicians in prescribing, amending
and/or revising the courses in a medical program;

(v) Assist the PRC in implementation of its prescribed guidelines and criteria on the
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) for registered licensed physicians;

(w) Set the standards and guidelines for the issuance and re-issuance of certificates of
registration including but not limited to compliance with the PRBM’s CPD program;
and

(x) Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary to efficiently and
effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations, orders or decisions issued or
promulgated by the PBRM shall be subject to the review, revision and approval by the PRC.
However, in case of imminent and immediate danger to patients, the PRBM’s final
decisions, resolutions or orders rendered in an administrative case shall be immediately
executory.


SEC. 11. Qualifications. - Each PRBM member must, at the time of his/her
appointment:

(a) be a natural born Filipino citizen and resident of the Philippines for at least (10)
consecutive years;

(b) be at least fifty (50) years old;

(©) be a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional
identification card as a physician;

(d) be a practitioner for at least ten (10) years;
(c) be a bona fide member of the AIPO of physicians;

(f) not have been convicted by final judgment by a competent court of a criminal
offense involving moral turpitude.

(g) has an experience of at least five (5) years as a faculty member of a college of
medicine;

(h) is not a current member of the faculty of an institute, school, or college of medicine

(i) is not connected with or has a pecuniary interest in a review center, school, group
or association offering classes or lectures in preparation for the physician licensure
examination.

SEC. 12. Term of Office. — The members of the PBRM 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 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 his/her duties. The incumbents whose terms
have not yet expired or who are merely holding over, 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.

SEC. 13, Compensation. - The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and members of the
PBRM shall receive compensation and allowances or other benefits pursuant to the provisions
of the “PRC Modernization 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.

SEC. 14, Suspension or Removal.- ~The President, upon recommendation of the PRC
after giving the member an opportunity to be heard by himself or by counsel in a proper
administrative investigation to be conducted by the PRC, may suspend or remove any
member of the PRBM on any the following grounds:

(a) Neglect of duty or incompetence.


(b) Unprofessional, unethical or dishonorable conduct.

(c) Manipulation or rigging of 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.

SEC. 15. Administrative Management, Custody of Records, Secretariat and Support
Services. - The PBRM shall be under the supervision and control of the PRC, with the PRC
chairperson as the chief executive officer thereof. All records of the PBRM shall be under the
custody of the PRC.

The PRC shall designate the Secretary of the PBRM and shall provide the secretariat
and other support services to implement the provisions of this Act.

ARTICLE IV
PHYSICIAN LICENSURE EXAMINATION

SEC. 16. Prerequisites to the Practice of Medicine. - No person shall engage in the
practice of medicine in the Philippines unless he/she:

(a) Holds a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional identification card
issued by the PRC;

(b) Holds a valid special/temporary permit issued by the PBRM subject to approval
by the PRC, or unless he/she is exempted by this Act from holding any of the
foregoing certificates of registration; and

(c)__ Isa member of good standing of the AIPO of physicians;

Any foreign doctor who intends to undergo residency / fellowship training in the
practice of medicine must pass the qualifying examination given by the PRBM.

SEC. 17. Examination Required. - 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.

SEC. 18. Qualifications of Applicants for the Physicians Licensure Examination. — All
applicants for the physicians’ licensure examination must possess all the following
qualifications and none of the disqualifications hereunder set forth as follows:

(a) Must be a citizen and resident of the Philippines or a citizen of a foreign country /
state that observes reciprocity in the practice of medicine with the Philippines

(b) Must be mentally, emotionally and physically sound with a certificate of good moral
character signed by the Dean of the school where he/she is a graduate;


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@

Must not have been convicted by final judgment by a court of any criminal offense;
and

Must be a holder of the degree of Doctor of Medicine 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 offered by medical
schools in the Philippines.

SEC. 19. Scope of Examination. — The physicians licensure examination shall cover

the followit

ing thirteen (13) individual and/or combined/clustered subjects with the relative

weights for each:

(a)
(b)
(c)
(a)
(e)
(f)
(8)
(h)
(i)
0)
(k)
()

(m)

Anatomy and Histology

Physiology

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Microbiology and Parasitology

Internal Medicine; Neurology, Dermatology, Oncology, Geriatric;
General and Clinical Pathology

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Pediatrics and Nutrition

Surgery, Orthopedic, Anesthesiology, Pain Management
Otorhinolaryngology, Ophthalmology;

Family and Community Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and
Health Economics; and

Legal Medicine, Medical Jurisprudence, Medical Ethics, and Medical
Informatics.

in case there is need or when circumstances require, in order to conform to
technological advancements and other developments, the PRBM, the CME, and the AIPO of

physicians

may revise the substance, format and the conduct of the examinations.


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 each syllabus after a
lapse of three (3) months reckoned from the concurrence of all the following requisites:

(2) Consultation with the association of medical schools;

(b) Approval by the PRC

(c) Publication of the PRBM resolution in a newspaper of general circulation, and
(d) Dissemination to all medical schools;

Sec. 20. Venues and Schedule of Examinations. — The PRBM shall give examinations
for the registration of physicians at least twice a year in such places as the PRC may designate
in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise known as the “PRC
Modernization Act of 2000”. An applicant may be allowed to take the examinations in two
parts, the first part shall consist of questions from Basic Medicine which are from subjects of
the first and second year 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.

in the Examination — To pass the physician licensure examination, an
examinee must be obtain a general average rating of at least seventy-five percent (75%) in all
thirteen (13) subjects, provided, however, there is no rating obtained in any subject below
fifty percent (50%).

SEC. 22. 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 schools / colleges and
the names of the schools / colleges obtaining top percentage of successful examinees shall
be published by the PRC in the major daily newspapers of general circulation.

The report of rating of every examinee shall be mailed to his / her given address, using
the mailing envelope he / she submitted during the examination.

SEC. 23. Oath — All successful examinees shall be required to take their oath before
the PRBM or any person authorized by the PRC to administer oath before they are issued their
certificates of registration and professional identification cards or before they start the
practice of the medical profession.

SEC. 24. Registration, Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card; APO Membership Card; Grounds For Non-Registration. — 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 duly recognized AIPO of
physicians upon compliance with all requirements and payment of compulsory dues. Upon


presentation of their certificates of registration and professional identification card, they shall
be issued a separate AIPO identification cards for physicians.

The certificate of registration of a physician shall bear the registration number and
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 Registry/Roster/Roll of Physicians under the custody of the PRC;
that the person has met or complied with all the legal requirements for registration as a
physician; and that the person is entitled to exercise all the privileges appurtenant to the
practice of the profession;

Provided, that he/she does not violate this Act, the rules and regulations, Code of
Ethics for Physicians, and other regulatory policies of the PRC and the PRBM.

The professional identification card shall bear the name of the registered license
physician, the registration number and date of issuance, and the date of expiration of the
license. Together with the membership identification card issued by the AIPO of physicians,
the physician is deemed qualified to practice medicine in the Philippines.

A successful examinee who has been finally convicted by a competent court of a
criminal offense or found guilty by the PBRM of dishonorable or immoral conduct or declared
by the court to be of unsound mind shall not be registered. The decision of the PBRM, finding
the examinee guilty of dishonorable or immoral conduct, may be appealed to the PRC within
fifteen (15) days from receipt of the PBRM’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 V
THE MEDICAL RESIDENCY BOARD

SEC. 25. Creation — There is hereby created the Medical Residency Board (MRB),
under the Department of Health, hereunder referred to as the “MRB”.

‘The MRB shall consist of a core group and specialty groups. The core group, which
shall have the voting powers, shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department of Health
(DOH), as Chairperson, and the Chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC), as Vice Chairperson, and the following as members:

(@) Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC)

(b) Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

(©) Apermanent representative of the AIPO of physicians

(@)_— Apermanent representative of the association of medical colleges


(©) Apermanent representative of public hospital association; and
(f) A permanent representative of private hospital association

Permanent representatives of medical schools and hospital associations shall be
nominated by the government agency representatives of the MRB for appointment by the
Secretary of Health for a term of three (3) years and may be renewed upon re-nomination and
reappointment.

‘The members of the MRB may designate their permanent representatives, who shall
have a rank not lower than an undersecretary or its equivalent, to meetings and shall receive
emoluments as may be determined by the MRB in accordance with existing budget and
accounting rules and regulations.

The specialty groups shall be constituted for each medical field or discipline with a
minimum of three (3) and maximum of five (5) non-voting 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 specialty. Each specialty group may include additional
experts as may be necessary.

‘The members of the specialty groups shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health for
a term of three (3) years. Provided, that, no member shall serve for more than three (3)
consecutive terms.

The DOH shall promulgate the nomination process for all specialty group members
with a clear set of qualifications, credentials and recommendations from the sectors concerned.

A total of three (3) Committees with a minimum of seven (7) members each shall be
created by the MRB from the core group of members to assist in carrying out its functions:

(a) _ Committee on Accreditation — It shall be responsible for accrediting medical
residency training and developing standards for approval of the Board;

(b) Committee on Training and Certification — It shall determine whether doctors
and allied health professionals have satisfactorily completed medical residency training and
shall issue certificate of completion training, if appropriate; and

(©) _ Committee on Policies, Standards and Ethics — It shall formulate standards of
medical residency training programs, policies on compensation / 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 Board for approval and action regarding complaints filed. It shall
screen foreign graduates of medicine who would like to undergo residency training in the
country.

The MRB shall create other committees and sub-committees as may be deemed
necessary in the accomplishment of its duties and functions.


The DOH shall provide a Secretariat for the MRB 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 MRB.

The members of the MRB shall receive an honorarium chargeable against the fund of
the DOH in accordance with existing policies.

SEC 26. Powers and Functions. ~ The MRB shall ensure the quality of residency
training for all specialties and sub-specialties of medical residents and provide policies that will
promote humane working conditions and better compensation for medical residents. Moreover,
the MRB shall be tasked to ensure that the residency training of doctors shall be responsive to
the current health service needs of the population. It shall perform the following functions:

(a)
(b)

©
(d)

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(e)

)

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@

(kK)
oO
(m)

To set the standards of residency training;

To ensure that the standards set for residency training are at par with
international standards;

To accredit residency training programs

To determine whether doctors and allied health professionals who have
undergone residency training have satisfactorily completed the training;

To issue certificate to residents who have satisfactorily completed the
residency training in either government and / or private hospitals

To screen foreign graduates of medicine who will undergo medical residency
training in the country and assess the equivalence of their basic medical
education to the standard curriculum prescribed in Philippine schools of
medicine

To work, in consultation with appropriate agencies, for the provision of better
compensation and benefits an humane working conditions for residents

To receive and act on complaints of residents as well as complaints of patients
against residents

Ensure that residency trainings will always be responsive to the health needs of
the population

To maintain a registry or database of residents and accredited residency training
programs

To monitor and evaluate residency training programs regularly
To prescribe remedial measures to deficient residency training programs; and

To 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.

SEC. 27. Accreditation or Residency Training Programs — Residency training
programs shall only be conducted in accredited residency training institutions. The MRB is the
only recognized organization that shall be given full authority over residency 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 MRB.

SEC. 28. Training Curriculum of Residency Training Programs — 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 MRB. 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 residency training programs.

SEC. 29. Qualifications of Applicants to Residency Training Programs — The
following shall be the minimum qualifications of applicants to residency training programs:

(a) Passing score in the licensure examination

(b) No previous criminal and or administrative record, and

(©) Clearance by the Board for foreign graduates of medicine

‘The Board shall set such other qualifications that it may deem necessary.

SEC. 30. General Conditions for the Residency Training of Foreign Medical
Graduates — The following general conditions shall be applied to foreign graduates of
medicine undergoing 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 clearance from the Board prior to
application to any accredited residency training program

(©) Foreign medical graduates shall undergo basic language course in Filipino and / or
the dialect that is used in the locality where the accredited institution is located before
commencing his / her 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 medical residency training before the Board may issue
a clearance to the foreign graduate of medicine. For accredited institutions located in areas
wherein Filipino is the language used by the majority, proficiency in a dialect shall no longer
be required; and


(@) 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 his / her medical residency

SEC. 31. Working Conditions of Residents — The following shall be strictly observed
by all accredited residency 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 one (1) day off from hospital duty every week

(c) Residents shall be given standard quarters in the hospital where he / she can stay
during his / her tour of duty;

(d) Residents shall only perform those functions that are related to his/her residency
training. As such, 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 MRB shall receive and investigate complaints of this nature from residents

(e) Residents are entitled to adequate period of meal breaks and personal care during
their tour of duty

(f) Residents shall always be supervised by their superior especially when performing
critical procedures to patients. In case of junior residents, the senior resident or
consultant shall always be available for supervision and assistance in the case of senior
residents, his/her consultants, and

(g) Residents shall be treated equally. No resident shall be discriminated because of his
/ her gender, race and ethnicity.

SEC. 32. Salary and Other Benefits — The minimum base pay of all doctors in
government hospitals shall not be lower than Salary Grade 22. They shall be entitled to
overtime pay and night differential pay for services rendered beyond eight (8) hours or hours
of duty beyond ten (10) in the evening to six (6) in the morning. Hazard pay shall be given as
stipulated in Republic Act No. 7y305, otherwise known as the “The Magna Carta for Health
Workers”, for residents of public or private hospitals.

SEC. 33. Professional Conduct of Residents — A resident shall always observe the
following professional conduct:

(a) Uphold the dignity, privacy and rights of his / her patient

(b) Perform his / her functions with utmost diligence especially those related to care of
patients so as not to inflict any harm on the patient

(c) Refrain from engaging in 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 thee 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 his / her superiors, subordinates or co-workers and patients’ relatives with
utmost respect; and

(e) Observe the provisions of Republic Act 6675 also known as the Generics Act of
1988 and Republic Act 9502 also known as the Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of
2008; and

(f) Render full time service to the hospital where he / she is employed. As such, he / she
shall not engage in any part time job outside the hospital

SEC. 34. Responsibilities of Accredited Residency Training Institutions — In
addition to the enforcement of the provisions of Section 31 0 this Act, accredited residency
training institutions shall have the following responsibilities:

(a) Regular submission of the names of residents in their institution to the Board; and
such other relevant information

(b) Provision of the necessary logistics, equipment, and other medical supplies to
residents while undergoing residency training; and

(c) Conduct periodic evaluation of competencies acquired by residents per year level

SEC. 35. 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 hall 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 Board
within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the notice of resolution;

(c) The Board 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;


(4) _Non-observance of the periods set forth in this Section shall subject the
responsible officer or employee to the penalties prescribed under Section 37 of this Act; and

(©) All decisions by the Board shall be final and executory.

SEC. 36. Hearing Procedures of the Committee — Upon the filing of the complaint,
the Committee, after consideration of the allegations thereof, may dismiss the case outrightly
due to lack of verification, failure to state the cause or action, or any other valid ground for the
dismissal of the complaint after consultation with the MRB; 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 within the reglementary five-day
period herein provided, the Committee, motu propio or upon the motion of the complainant,
render judgement 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 hall 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 judgement may be rendered thereon without need of a formal
hearing, it may proceed to render judgement 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 judgement, it shall set the case for hearing. At such hearing,
witnesses whose affidavits were previously submitted may be asked clarificatory questions by
the proponent and by the Committee 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 executory fifteen (15) days after
notice thereof; Provided, however, that the same may be appealable to the MRB within thirty
(30) days from receipt of the copy of the judgement appealed from. An appellee shalll be given
fifteen (15) days from notice to file a memorandum after which the MRB shall decide on the
appeal within sixty (60) days from the submittal of the said pleadings.

The decision of the MRB shall also become final and executory fifteen (15) days after
notice thereof: Provided, 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 MRB, 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 duces tecum and ad testificandum 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 MRBN or the Committee on Ethics,


as the case may be, shall prescribe the necessary administrative sanctions.

In all its proceedings, the MRB or the Committee shall not be bound by the technical
rules of evidence: Provided, however, that the Rules of Court shall apply with suppletory effect.

SEC. 37. Violations — Any accredited residency training institution and / or any of its
resident that have been found violating 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. In the case of
residents, he / she shall not be given a certificate of completion of residency training by the
Board and shall be removed from the residency training program.

ARTICLE VI
REGULATION OF THE PRACTICE OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION

SEC. 38. Acts Constituting the Practice of Medicine — The following are acts
constituting practice of medicine:

a. Physically examining any person for any disease, injury and deformity, or
diagnosing, treating, operating, prescribing or dispensing any remedy therefor

b. 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

c. 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 any means of signs, cards or advertisements
by way of mass media or any other means of communication

d. Using or affixing “M.D.” with his / her 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

e. Conducting formal medical classes in medical schools, seminars, lectures,
symposia and the like

SEC. 39. Exceptions — (1) For purposes of this Act, medical students, clinical clerks,
and interns attending to patients shall not be considered as engaging in the practice of medicine,
provided, that they are attending to patients under the direct supervision and control and under
presence of a duly licensed physician.


Foreigners who intend to undergo or are undergoing residency or fellowship training or
otherwise under training shall obtain the required special permit from the Commission.

(2) Any non-medical person trained, certified, licensed to carry out specific
interventions in emergency situations to save lives and / or limbs according to the level of
competence determined by their training and certifying examinations.

(3) Non-medical educators who have attained a master’s or a doctoral degree on a
specific field on the basic sciences in the medical field.

SEC. 40. Reciprocity — A foreigner may be allowed to practice medicine in the
Philippines without having to undergo the physician’s licensure examination, if and when, the
country of which the foreigner is a citizen, allows Filipino citizen to practice medicine under
the same conditions such as but may not be limited to 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 government of the Philippines and the country
of which the foreigner is a citizen; and

(c) The foreigner must show documents that he is allowed by his /her country’s
regulatory body to practice medicine in his country. The documents may be equivalent to the
PRC ID card or Certificate of Registration issued by the Philippine Professional Regulations
Commission.

SEC. 41. Special Permits to Practice Medicine in the Philippines. — In the absence
of any reciprocity agreement, executive agreement or international agreement, or treaty, a
foreigner may be allowed to practice in the Philippines subject to the following conditions:

(a) He / she must obtain a special permit from the Professional Regulation
Commission

(b) The special permit shall specify the purpose, the limitations, the place of
practice of the foreigner and such other conditions as may be imposed by the
Commission such as but not limited to:

1. Aperiod of not more than one (1) year subject to renewal or extension,
provided, 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 maybe

(©) Payment of the required fees; and


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Undertaking that the foreigner shall conduct himself according to the Code of
Ethics of Medical Practice in the Philippines.

The PRC may issue a special permit to foreigners not covered by reciprocity rule or
under Section 40 hereof under the following guidelines:

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(4)

(5)

Physicians licensed in countries of which he / she is a citizen whose services are
for free, provided however, that a reasonable honorarium may be allowed for
his daily subsistence during his / her stay in the Philippines

Physicians who are internationally well-known specialists or publicly
acknowledged as experts in any area of medical specialization; and

Physicians of foreign countries whose services are urgently necessary, owing to
the lack of available local specialists / experts, or for the promotion or
advancement of the practice of medicine including, but not limited to, the
conduct of formal classes or training, acting as resource persons in medical
seminars, for a, symposia and the like

Physicians licensed in foreign countries who intend to render free medical
services to indigent patients in a hospital, center or clinic, provided, however,
that they render such services under the direct supervision and control ofa duly
licensed Filipino physician; and

Physicians licensed in foreign countries employed as exchange professors in
any area of medical specialization

SEC. 42. Administrative Investigation and Disciplinary Actions — The PRBM shall
have the power, upon proper notice and hearing, after findings 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 / temporary permit or temporary training permit issued to a
foreign physician for any of the following grounds / causes:

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(b)
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Final conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense
involving moral turpitude

Immoral or dishonorable conduct
Mentally incapacitated

Fraud in the acquisition of the certificate of registration and the professional
identification card or temporary / special permit or temporary training permit

Gross negligence, ignorance or incompetence in the practice of his / her
profession, resulting in an injury to or death of the patient

‘Addiction to alcoholic beverages, to any habit-forming drug or to any form of
illegal gambling, rendering him incompetent to practice his / her profession

Making or causing to be made false, misleading, extravagant or unethical


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advertisement or making or causing to be made advertisements wherein things
other than his name, profession, limitation of practice, clinic hours, office and
home address are mentioned

Issuance 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

Knowingly issuing any false medical certificates and / or findings or making
any fraudulent claims with government or private health insurance provider

Performance of, or aiding in, any criminal abortion

Allowing one’s self as the ghost physician or as tool of any person who is
unqualified or unlicensed to practice general or specialty practice of medicine,
except in aid of training of a medical student or resident physician. Provided,
however, that this provision shall not apply when an act constituting the practice
of general or specialty medicine is performed in a hospital, clinic or medical
center as an accredited practitioner of a training hospital, clinic or medical
center. A ghost physician is one who makes it appear to be the person who has
actually treated the patient when in fact it was another person other than him
and on the basis of which he accepted professional fees

Abetting or assisting in the illegal practice by a person who is not lawfully
qualified to practice medicine, either general or specialty medicine

Using or advertising any title or description tending to convey the impression
to the general public that he / she is a specialist in a field or medical
specialization when in fact he / she is not. A specialist is a licensed physician
who has undergone training in a residency training program of a specialty duly
recognized by AIPO of physicians and has passed the corresponding specialty
board certification

Practicing his / her profession during the period of his suspension or during the
period that his / her licensed is revoked

Willful failure or refusal to be a member of good standing of the AIPO of
physicians; and

Violation of any provision of the Code of Ethics for Physicians as prescribed by
the AIPO of physicians, subject to approval by the Commission

SEC. 43. Rights of the Parties — The private complainant and the respondent physician
shall be entitled to counsel and be heard in person, to have a speedy and public hearing, 10
confront and to cross-examine witnesses, and to all other rights guaranteed by the Constitution
and the Rules of Court. All cases filed or pending under this Act, except those filed or pending
in courts and other quasi-judicial and investigative bodies, shall not be discussed or taken up
in any forum until after the same shall have been decided with finality.


SEC. 44 Appeal from Judgment — The decision of the PRBM shall become final
fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of such decision by the parties or their counsel,
whoever receives first. 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 by the PRBM as provided
herein may be appealed to the PRC within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof.

SEC. 45. Reissuance of Revoked Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card and Replacement of Lost Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card. - After two (2) years, the PRBM may order the reinstatement of any
physician whose certificate of registration has been revoked, if the respondent has shown
that he / she has acted in an exemplary manner in the community.

Anew certificate of registration or professional identification card that has been lost,
destroyed, mutilated or otherwise could no longer be used for its purpose, may be issued,
subject to the rules of the PRC.

SEC. 46. Mandatory Use of Certificate of Registration, Professional and AIPO
Membership Card and Professional Tax Receipt Number. - A registered physician shall
indicate his / her certificate of registration number, the number and expiry date of the
professional identification card and his / her AIPO for physician membership card, and the
professional tax receipt number, on the prescription and other documents that he / she signs,
Uses or issues in connection with the practice of his / her profession.

SEC. 47. Vested Rights. — All physicians registered at the time this Act takes effect
shall be automatically registered under the provisions hereof without prejudice, if any, to the
other requirements herein set forth.

All physicians whose names appear at the Registry / Roll / Roster of Physicians at the
time of the effectivity of this Act shall automatically be registered by the PRBM and the
Commission as physicians and, thereafter, by the AIPO of physicians as its bona fide members
pursuant to Section 24 of this Act.

SEC. 48, Integration of the Profession — The profession shall be integrated into one
(1) national Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of Physicians to be duly
recognized and accredited by the PRBM and the PRC. A physician duly registered and licensed
by the PRBM and the PRC shall automatically become a member of the AIPO of physicians and
shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto upon payment of required fees
and dues. Membership in the AIPO of physicians shall not bar to membership in any other
association of physicians.

SEC. 49. Mandatory Continuing Professional Development. - The PRBM 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 VI
PENAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 50. Penalties. - (a) The penalty of imprisonment of not less than one (1) year
but not exceeding five (5) years or a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos
(P200,000.00) but not exceeding Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), or both upon
the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon:

1

Any person who practices or offers to practice medicine in the Philippines
without a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional identification
card, or a valid temporary/special permit / temporary training permit in
accordance with the provisions of this Act;

Any person using or attempting to use as his / her own the certificate of
registration or professional identification card or temporary/special permit/
temporary training permit duly issued to another;

Any person who shall give any false or forged documents, credentials and any
other proof of any kind to the PBRM or PRC in order to obtain a certificate of
registration or professional identification card or temporary/special permit/
temporary training permit;

Any person who shall falsely present himself or herself as any bona fide
registrant with like or different name;

Any person who engages in the practice of medicine without complying with
Section 38 hereof, and without any Certificate of Registration

Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of
registration or a cancelled temporary/special permit.

Any person who shall use or advertise any title or description tending to
convey the impression to the general public that he / she is a registered and
licensed physician when in fact he / she is not;

When any of the acts defined in paragraphs 5 and 6 of this section is
committed by a person against three (3) or more persons, or when any of such
acts is committed by at least three (3) persons who conspire with one another,
or when death occurs as a result of the commission of the prohibited act
mentioned in paragraph (k), Section 42 of this Act, the offense shall be
considered as a qualified violation of this Act and shall be punished by life
imprisonment and a fine of not less 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.


SEC. 51. Cease and Desist Order. - Upon written motion by any interested party and
after notice and hearing, the PBRM may issue a cease and desist order to a person not
authorized to practice medicine. However, if it is shown in the affidavits attached to the
motion that the movant or the general public will suffer grave injustice or irreparable injury,
the Chairperson of the PRBM, or, in his / her absence, any PBRM member holding office, may
issue within seventy two (72) hours the cease and desist order. The Rules of Court is
suppletory for this purpose.

‘The PRBM and the PRC shall file an appropriate case for contempt of court against any
person who failed, or refuse to obey, the cease and desist order.

ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 52. Annual Report. - The PRBM shall, on or before the end of January of the
year following the enactment of this Act, 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.

SEC. 53. Appropriations. - The funds needed to implement the provisions of this Act
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 54, Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days after the
approval of this Act, the CHED, PRC and DOH, 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.

SEC. 55. Transitory Provisions. — The incumbent Board of Medicine shall continue to
function in the interim until such time as the PBRM shall have been constituted pursuant to
this Act.

SEC. 56. Separability Clause. — If any clause, provision, paragraph or part hereof be
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or impair any
other part hereof, but such judgment shall be merely confined to the clause, provision,
paragraph or part directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment has been
rendered.

SEC. 57. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act. No. 2382 known as “The Medical Act of
1959”, all laws amending the said Act, all other laws, decrees, executive orders, and other
administrative issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby modified, amended, superseded or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 58. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation
in the Philippines.

Approved.