PRC names doctors’ board exam topnotcher after reviewing ‘remarkable’ results

MANILA, Philippines – The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) revealed the identity of the topnotcher of the March 2026 Physicians Licensure Examination after previously withholding the examinee’s name.

Last Friday, April 17, the PRC updated its original April 10 Facebook post to include the name of the No. 1 placer — Erwin Ken Parchaso from Lyceum-Northwestern University in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

Only “name withheld” was indicated when the commission released the board exam results on April 8, prompting speculations from the public.

In an emailed press release on Monday, April 20, the PRC clarified that it had to conduct a “comprehensive review and statistical analysis” and verify reports submitted by its regional office because of Parchaso’s excellent performance.

“This measure was undertaken not to cast any doubt on the examinee’s integrity or capabilities, but to affirm the accuracy and reliability of the results through the commission’s standard validation process,” the PRC said.

“The examinee’s remarkable and consistent performance across all subjects reflects outstanding effort and ability, and it is precisely for this reason that a careful review was warranted — to ensure that the results are fully confirmed and duly recognized in accordance with the commission’s policies and standards,” it added.

Rappler asked the PRC for Parchaso’s exam rating, but the commission did not disclose this in its email.

Earlier, in its April 8 press release, the PRC said it decided to hold back the announcement of the test results of a number of examinees.

“The results of examination with respect to five (5) examinees were withheld pending final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examinations; and one (1) was withheld for further verification,” the commission previously said.

Under PRC Resolution No. 2010-547, the commission may cancel the exam papers of top-ranked examinees over a possible violation of test instructions, with their names not included in the release of rankings. The PRC will include the note “Name Withheld Pending Investigation” opposite their supposed rank.

If their test papers are upheld, their names would be included in the table of results.

Lacking required documents can also result in the withholding of results.

Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas celebrated Parchaso’s achievement, saying the new doctor hails from the province.

Parchaso’s university also congratulated him on Facebook on Sunday, April 19, adding that the feat “reflects outstanding excellence, dedication, and the strong foundation of medical education within the Lycean community.”

The PRC said 1,954 out of 2,781 examinees passed the doctors’ board exam conducted last March. – Rappler.com