Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HouSEBILLNo.   5153
DATE::
RECEIVED
hAT[-SEP   2  6
*   TinE;Th
BY:uttL
Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS N. CAMPOS, TR.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Enshrined in Article 11, Section 15 of the Constitution is the declaration that the
State shall promote the Filipino's right to health. To wit:
``The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people
and instill health consciousness among them''.
Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that emphasizes the inherent recuperative
power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of
chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and
function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the
preservation and restoration of health. In addition, doctors of chiropractic recognize
the  value  and  responsibility  of  working  in  cooperation  with  other  health  care
practitioners  when  in  the  best  interest  of  the  patient  rHssocl.afi.o„  a/ Cfoi+apr¢cfl.c
Colleges,1996).
In the Philippines there is no board that licenses Chiropractors, neither are there
schools that provides a means of producing Filipino Chiropractors. To address such
deficiency this bill seeks to establish a body to regulate the chiropractic profession and
ensure that Filipinos have access to services that takes care of a vital body part - the
spine and the nervous system.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousE BrLL NO.  5 1 5 3
Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS N. CAMPOS, |R.
AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE IN THE
PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled..
SECTION 1. Short T3.fke. -This Act shall be known as the " C/zi.raprflcfe.c Act o/2022. "
SEC.  2.  Dcchamft.o#  a/  Po!2.car.   -  In  recognition  of  the  importance  and  role  of
chiropractors in nation-building and development, it shall be the policy of the State to
promote and recognize the significance of the chiropractic profession.
SEC. 3 Def tnitions. -
(a) Chiropractic: Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis,
treatment and  prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system  and the
effects  of  these  disorders  on  general  health.  There  is  an  emphasis  on  manual
techniques, including joint adjustment and/ or manipulation with a particular focus on
subluratious.
ap) Chiropractor: Any person who is a graduate of a Doctor of Chiropractic program or
its  equivalent  foreign  education  shall  be  considered  a  chiropractor.  The  Scope  Of
Practice  for  Chiropractors  is  generally  and  specifically  defined  by  the  curriculum
taught in accredited chiropractic colleges approved by the Board to be created by this
Act.
SEC. 4. Creflfro„ fl#d Co7#pos!.fro# a/ Bo#rd - There is hereby created a Professional
Regulatory  Board  of  Chiropractic  Examiners   (``hereinafter  called  the  Board''),   a
collegial body under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional
Regulation  Commission  (``the  Commission"),  which  shall  be  composed  of  five  (5)
members, four (4) of which are licensed chiropractors who have met the requirements
of this Act and has practiced chiropractic in the Philippines for more than two  (2)
years. One member of the board shall be a person with no direct financial interest in
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the health care industry. They shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines
from a list submitted by the Commission.
The Board shall be organized not later than sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this
Act.
EEC.  5.  Qualifications  of  the  Chairperson  and  the  Members  of  the  Professional
Regulatory Board Of Chiropractic Examiners. - The Chai:rpersor\ and Members of the
Board shall, at the time of their appointment and for the course of their term, possess
the following qualifications :
(a) A natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines;
ap) At least thirty-five (35) years of age;
(c) Possess good moral character;
(d) At least five (5) years of practice in chiropractic care in a duly recognized
institution, clinic, or center;
(e)  Be a registered and licensed chiropractor, except the first members of the
Board  who  shall  be  conferred  a  valid  certificate  of registration  and  a  valid
professional identification card in chiropractic upon appointment to the Board;
(f)  Shall  not be  a  public  official,  nor  holds  any  position other  than being  a
member of the integrated and accredited national organization of chiropractors;
and
(g) Shall not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
SEC. 6. Tcml a/ O#t.ce. - The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three
(3) years or until their successors shall have been appointed and duly qualified. Each
member of the Board may be reappointed for one (1) fun term of three (3) years. The
first members of the Board shall hold office for the following terms: the Chairperson
for three (3) years; one member for two (2) years; and the other member for one (1)
year, which sham be specified in their respective appointments. Any vacancy occurring
within the term of a member shall be fined for the unexpired portion of the term only.
Each  member  of  the  Board  shall  qualify  by  taking  the  proper  oath  prior  to  the
performance of his/her duties.
SEC. 7. Pozuers ¢#d Dwfl.cs. - The Board shall have the following powers and duties:
(a)  Administer and implement the provisions of this Act and promulgate as
well as revise or update,  as necessary, rules and regulations, resolutions and
guidelines hereto. Provided, that the policies, resolutions, rules and regulations
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issued or promulgated by the Board shall be subject to review and approval of
the Commission;
ap)   Supervise   and   monitor   the   registration,   liceusure   and   practice   of
chiropractors in the Philippines;
(c) Administer oaths in cormection with the administration of this Act;
(d)  Issue,  and  upon compliance  with  due  process  requirements  suspend  or
revoke,   and/or   reinstate,   the   certificate   of  registration   and   professional
identification card for chiropractors;
(e) Adopt an official seal of the Board;
(D   Monitor   the   conditions   and   circumstances   affecting   the   practice   of
chiropractic care in the Philippines and adopt such measures as may be deemed
lawful and proper for the enhancement and maintenance of high professional,
ethical and technical staLndards of the profession;
g)  Issue permits to and exercise visitorial powers over agencies,  iustitutious,
associations, corporations and partherships to verify that the persons practicing
chiropractic care therein are chiropractors with vand certificates of registration
and valid professional identification cards, and that they possess the necessary
accreditation,   skins   and/or   facilities   to   competently   canying   out   their
functions;
(h)  Assist  the  Commission  in  the  formulation  and  implementation  of  the
guidelines on continuing professional education for chiropractors;
(i)  Ensure,  in coordination  with  the  CHED,  that  all  educational  iustitutious
offering  the  course/program  of  chiropractic  care  strictly  comply  with  the
policies,    standards    and   requirements   prescribed    by   CHED    for   such
course/program, especially in the areas of administration, curriculum, faculty,
library and fachities;
0.) Prepare, adopt, issue and amend, in consultation with CHED, syllabi for the
licensure examination subjects;
(k)  Investigate  and,  when  warranted,  hear  administrative  cases  involving
violations  of this  Act,  its  implementing  rules  and  regulations  as  hereinafter
promulgated,  and  any applicable code of ethics and/or code of professional
standards. For this purpose, it may issue s#dyoc7i# and swbpoc7i# d"cos  fcc#777 to
secure  the  appearances  of  witnesses  and  the  production  of  documents  in
connection therewith: Provided, that the Board's decision, resolution or orders
rendered in administrative cases shall be subject to review only on appeal;
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(I) Perform such other functions and duties as may be lawfully delegated to it,
or as it may deem necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act.
SEC. 8. Cofflperls¢ft.or{ ¢"d AJJoav##ces. -The Chairperson and Members of the Board
shall  receive  the  same  compensation  and  allowances  as  those  received  by  the
chairperson and Members of the existing regulatory boards under the Commission, as
provided in the charter of the Commission and in the General Appropriations Act.
SPF. 9. Removal or Suspension Of Members of the Professional Regulatory Board of
CJ".ropmcfi.c frfl7#t.#crs. - Any member of the Board may, upon the recommendation
of the Commission and upon observance of due process and completion of the proper
investigation, be suspended or removed by the President from office for cause, such as
gross   neglect   of   duty,   incompetence,   malpractice,   behavior   unbecoming   of   a
chiropractic   professional,   immorality,   unethical   or   dishonorable   conduct,   final
conviction of any crime involving moral turpitude, any act of graft and corruption,
and participation in the manipulation of or any dishonesty relative to the liceusure
examinations and/ or the registration process.
S_EC.  10.  Administrative  Supervision  over  the  Board,  Custodian  of  its  Records,
Sccretor!.flf  flr!d  Sapporf  Scrz7t.cos.  -  The  Board  shall  be  under  the  administrative
supervision  and  control  of  the  Commission.  All  records  of  the  Board,  including
documents relative to the liceusure examinations as wen as administrative and other
investigative  cases  conducted  by  the  Board,  shall  be  kept  in  the  custody  of  the
Commission. The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall
provide the Secretariat with necessary support services to effectively implement the
provisions of this Act.
SEC.   11.   £#¢"c'#flf..o"s   Req#t.red.   -   All   applicants   for   registration   to   practice
chiropractic care shall be required to pass a liceusure examination for chiropractors
conducted by the Board in such places and dates, and subject to such requirements,
prescribed by the Commission.
SEE. T2. Qualofications of Appitcants for Licensure Examination for Chiropractors -
Any person may apply to  take the examination for registration and liceusure  as  a
chiropractor after furnishing evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant:
(a) is a Filipino citizen, a permanent resident, or a citizen of a foreign country with a
regulatory body which extends reciprocity to the Philippines relative to the practice of
the profession;
ap) has a high school education or its equivalent;
(c)  has successfully completed at least two academic years  of study in a conege of
liberal arts or sciences or has engaged in the active licensed practice of chiropractic for
three of the four years preceding the ffling of the application;
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(d) is a holder of a degree of Doctor of Chiropractic or its foreign equivalent obtained
from a school or college of chiropractic that:
(1) is accredited by or a candidate for accreditation by an accrediting agency
recognized by the board; or
(2) if an aLccrediting agency under (1) of this paragraph does not exist, requires
the completion of a minimum of 4,000 hours of formal education and training in
order to graduate, including
(i) 150 hours of chiropractic philosophy or principles;
(ii) 1200 hours of basic sciences, including anatomy, chemistry,
physiology, and pathology;
(iii) 1400 hours of preclinical technique, including diagnosis, chiropractic
technique, and x-rays; and
(iv) 700 hours of clinical training;
(v) completes 120 hours of formal training in physiological therapeutics;
(e)  is  of good  moral character and has not been convicted  of an offense involving
moral turpitude.
SEC. 13. I,..ce#s"re by Crt3de#f!.flJ -The board may issue a license by credentials to an
applicant  who  pays  the  appropriate  fee  and  presents  satisfactory  proof  that  the
applicant:
(a) is a graduate of a school or college of chiropractic that
(1)  is  accredited by  or  a candidate  for  accreditation by  an accrediting
agency recognized by the board; or
(2) if an accrediting ageney under (a) of this paragraph does not exist,
requires the completion of a minimum of 4,000 hours of formal education
and training in order to graduate, including:
(i) 150 hours of chiropraLctic philosophy or principles;
(ii)  1,200  hours  of basic  sciences,  including  anatomy,  chemistry,
physiology, and pathology;
(iii)  1,400  hours  of  preclirical  technique,  including  diagnosis,
chiropractic technique and x -rays; and
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(iv) 700 hours of clinical training;
@) has passed an exaninaLtion approved by the board that is designed to test
the applicant's knowledge of the laws governing the practice of chiropractic and
the regulations adopted under those laws; and
(c) has completed 120 hours of formal training in physiological therapeutics or
has  passed,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  board,  a  physiological  therapeutics
examination as may be required by the board.
SEC. 14. Examination. -
(a) Examinations for aL license to practice chiropractic may be held in the time
and manner fixed by the board.
@) The examination may include practical demonstration and oral and written
examination in those subjects usually taught in accredited chiropractic schools.
(c) A general average rating of 75 percent is a passing grade on the examination.
(d)  An applicant may take a reexamination within one year after failing the
examination.
The  Board  shall  submit to  the  Commission  an  official  report  detaihig  the  ratings
obtained by each examinee within ten (10) calendar days after the examination, unless
such period is extended for just cause.
SEC.  15.  Oflffe a/ Cha.ropr#ctors.  - All successful examinees qualified for registration
and an qualified applicants for registration without examination shall be required to
take an oath to uphold the profession before any member of the Board or any officer of
the Commission authorized to administer oaths, prior to entering into the practice of
chiropractic in the Philippines.
SPC.16.IssuanceofcertiftcatesofRegistrationandprofessionalldentificationcard.
Certificate  of registration and  professional identification card  shall be issued  to  an
successful examinees and registrants without examination upon compliance with all
the legal requirements, including payment of fees, prescribed by the Commission. The
certificate   of   registration   shall   bear   the   signature   of   the   Chairperson   of   the
Commission and Members of the Board, indicating that the person named therein is
entitled   to   practice   the   profession   with   all   the   privileges   and   concomitant
respousibihities appurtenant thereto. The said certificate shall remain in full force
and  effect until suspended  or revoked  in accordance with this  Act.  A professional
identification card bearing the registration number, date of issuance and validity term
of three years, duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission, shall likewise be
issued  to  every  registrant  who  has  paid  the  prescribed  registration  fee.  Upon
expiration of the  professional  identification card,  the  chiropractors  may renew the
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same upon proof of compliance with continuing education requirements prescribed by
the Board and/or Commission.
SEC. 17. DiscJos#re a/ Rcgr.sfrHfro7t r„/or7#fltr.o#. - The chiropractor shall be required
to indicate his/her registration and professional identification card number and date
of issuance, the duration of validity, including the professional tax receipt number on
each document signed, used or in cormection with the practice of his/her profession.
SPC._T8:Non-iss¥ayce of Certif tcate of Registratiott and Prof essional Ideutif ication
Card. - The Board shall not register nor issue a certificate of registration or professional
identification  card  to  any  person  convicted  of  a  criminal  offense  involving  moral
turpitude; has been found guilty by a judicial or other duly constituted tribunal of
immoral or dishonorable conduct; or has been medically diagnosed to be of unsound
mind. In the event of non-issuance of the certificate for any reason, the Board sham
furnish the applicant a written statement setting forth the reasons for such denial,
which statement shall be incorporated to the records of the Board.
?EF.19.Fr.acti.cexprou.ghs??cialTeprporarypermit.-Specialteaporaypewits"ay
be issued by the Board, subject to the approval by the Commission and payment of
appropriate fees, to the foHowing persons:
(1)    Licensed    chiropractors    from    foreign    countries    who    are    internationally
acknowledged specialists or outstanding experts in chiropractic care, provided that
their services  are important and necessary either due  to the lack or inadequacy of
available local specialists/experts or in recognition of their potential contribution to
thepromotion/advancementofchiropracticcarethroughtrausferoftechnology;
(2)  Licensed  chiropractors  from  foreign countries  whose  services  shall be  free  and
offered exclusively to indigent patients in a particular hospital, center or clinic; and
(3) Licensed chiropractors from foreign countries employed as exchange professors to
teach chiropractic care in schools, coneges, universities offering chiropractic programs.
The permit shall detail the conditions thereof which shall, among other things, include
the effectivity period of not more than one (1) year subject to renewal, and the specific
place of practice such as the clinic, hospital, center, school, college, university offering
the course of chiropractic care. The Board, subject to the approval by the Commission,
shall prescribe rules and regulations on the implementation of this particular section.
S_PC. 2JP. Suspension or Revocation of Certif tcate  of Registration and Prof essional
Identification Card or Cancellation Of a Special Temporary Permit. - The BoaLrd shaEL
have  the  power,  after  notice  and  hearing,  to  suspend  or  revoke  the  certificate  of
registration and professional identification card or to cancel special temporary permits
granted pursuant to this Act on any ground set forth in the instances hereunder:
(a) Procurement of a certificate of registration and/ or professional identification
card, or special temporary permit by fraud or deceit;
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@) Allowing an unqualified person to advertise or to practice the profession by
using  one's  certificate  of  registration  or  professional  identification  card  or
special temporary permit;
(c)  Violating  or  conspiring  to  violate  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  its
implementing rules and regulations, the code of ethics or code of professional
standards promulgated hereinafter by the Board;
(d)  Manifest physical or mental incompetence  to render chiropractic services
with reasonable skin and safety to his/ her clients/patients;
(e)  Professional misconduct or negligence  in the  performance  of duties  as  a
chiropractor; and
(f)  Engaging  in  the  practice  of  the  profession  during  the  period  of  one's
suspension.
SEC.  21.  Rcc."stofer#c#f.  -  A  chiropractor  whose  certificate  of registration has  been
revoked may apply to the Board for reinstatement at any time after two (2) years from
the date of revocation of said certificate. The application shall be in writing and shall
conform  to  requirements  hereinafter  prescribed  by  the  Board.  No  certificate  of
registration or professional identification card sham be reinstated unless the Board is
satisfied that a good cause exists to warrant such reinstatement.  Issuance of a new
certificate  of  registration  or  professional  identification  card,  or  special  temporary
permit in lieu of one that has been lost,  destroyed or mutilated shall be subject to
applicable rules prescribed by the Commission.
SEC. 22. AZJpcoJ/roJ# J#dgr#c#f. -The decision of the Board shall become final fifteen
(15)  days from receipt of the decision by the respondent unless an appeal has been
filed with the Commission within the same period.
SEC. 23. Ri.gJ!fs a/ ffec Respo#de#f. - The respondent chiropractor shall have the right
to be represented by counsel at all stages of the  proceedings  as  well as to speedy
disposition of his/her case. He/she shall have the right to confront witnesses against
him/her in addition to such other rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
SEC. 24. J#fegrHtr.o# of the Pro/ess!.o". ~ The profession shall hereinafter be integrated
by  consolidating  all  practitioners  into  one  natiorml  organization  of registered  and
license chiropractors, which shall be recognized and accredited by the Board, subject
to approval of the Commission. A chiropractor duly registered and licensed by the
Board and the Commission shall automatically become a member of said organization
and sham receive the benefits and privileges, as well as be subject to all respousibihities
and  obligations,  appurtenant thereto upon payment of the required fees and  dues.
Membership in the integrated organization shall not be a bar to membership jn any
other association of chiropractors.
Page 9 of I I


SEC. 25. ProJt!.b£.fed Acts. - No person shall:
(a)  Engage  in  the  professional  practice  of  chiropractic  care  nor  represent  himself
herself  as   a   professional   practicing   chiropractor   without   a  vahid   certificate   of
registration/valid professional identification card, or a vahid special temporary permit
granted by the Board pursuant to this Act;
¢) Represent himself/ herself to be a licensed and authorized practicing chiropractor
during the time that his/her certificaLte of registration has been suspended or revoked
orprofessionalidentificationcardwithoutbeingrenewed,orspecialtemporarypermit
cancelled;
(c) Allow any other person to use his/her certificate of registration and professional
identification card or special temporary permit for any purpose, regardless of whether
such  act  actually  enables  the  unqualified  individual  to  engage  in  the  practice  Of
chiropractic;
(d)  Use,  exhibit  and/or  misrepresent  as  his/her  own the  certificate  of registration
and/or professional identification card or special temporary permit of another; and
(e) Give any false, inaccurate, misleading or incomplete information to the Board in
order to obtain a certificate of registration or professional identification card or special
temporary permit. No corporation, partnership, association or entity shall operate a
chiropractic  office,  center,  clinic,  or  otherwise  engage  in  the  practice  or  allow  the
practice of chiropractic within its premises, without securing a permit therefore from
the  Board.  Such permit shall be  issued  only  after the  Board  is  satisfied  that  such
establishment is competently staffed by a chiropractor and equipped with sufficient
and adequate chiropractic-related instruments and facilities.
A violation of any provision of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations shall
be penalized accordingly.
SEC.  26.  Pc#¢Jtr.cs.  -  Any  person  who  violates  any  provision  of  this  Act  or  its
implementing rules and regulations shall be punished with imprisorment of not less
than six (6) months but not more than three (3) years, or a fine of not less than Ten
Thousand Pesos  (P 10,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos  (P
100,000.00) or both, at the discretion of the Board.
SEC.  27.  I#c#Zcflft.o#.  -  The  Board  may  initiate  action  to  enjoin,  restrain,  and/or
prosecute any individual, corporation, association, partnership or entity engaging in
the practice of chiropractic in violation of this Act.
SEC. 28. F##dt.ng Prouc.st.o#. - The Chairperson of the Commission shall immediately
hereinafter include in the Commission's programs the prompt implementation of this
Act, funding of which shall be provided for in the General Appropriations Act.
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SEC. 29. £#/orcei#e"f.  - It shall be the duty of all duly constituted law enforcement
agencies and officers of national, provincial, city or municipal governments to uphold
and enforce the provisions of this Act and to investigate and prosecute or cause the
investigation and prosecution of any person violating the same.
SEC. 30.  Implementing Rules  and Regulations.  - WThin ninety  (90)  days  after  the
constitution of the Board, it shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and
regulations, subject to approval of the Commission, to implement the provisions of
this Act.
SEC.  31.  Sapflfftzb..Zt.fry  Chawse.  -  If  any  provision  of  this  Act  is  held  invalid  by  a
competent court, any other provision not affected thereby shall continue to be valid
and effective.
SEC.  32.  Rapeflz!.#g  Cha#sc.  -  Any  laws,  presidential  decrees,  executive  orders  and
letters of instruction which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
SEC.  33.  £#ecf€.t7t.fry  CZ"1ts€.  This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  days  following  its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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