By Alec Go
The Philippines has another boost in its healthcare system after 1,573 out of 2,887 or 54.49% of aspiring doctors passed the March 2023 Physician Licensure Exam.
Based on the results shared by the Professional Regulation Commission Board, Aira Cassandra Saguitan Castro from the Mariano Marcos State University in Batac topped the exam with a score of 89.00%.
She is followed by Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila alumnus Philip Patrick Petelo Lee with 88.58%, and University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) Johanna Wileen Go with 88.25%.
The fourth spot was secured by John Kevin Reforsado Base from the University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center with 88.00%.
He is followed by Anthony Palaran Acenas from the University of Cebu College of Medicine Foundation, Inc. in Mandaue and Isabella Cheng Del Castillo from UST at the fifth spot with 87.67%.
UST emerged as the only top performing school for the exam with an 83.61% passing rate or 51 of 61 students passing the exam.
The exam was conducted on March 5, 6, 12, and 13 in Metro Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga. – cf