PRC names topnotcher in doctors’ board exam after delay

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 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.

The PRC has yet to explain why Parchaso’s name was initially withheld. Rappler has reached out to the commission for comment, and we will update this story once we receive a response.

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