Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

Introduction and History of Medical Technology  Physicians in Babylon made observations on the color and
 Intro to MT Laws and Bioethics consistency of urine as early as 4000 BC.
 PAMET, PASMETH, PHISMETS  In 1500 BC, Egyptian documents such as the Ebers Papyrus
contained accounts describing polyuria and intestinal worms, and
Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969 these records were confirmed with the discovery of calcified
 R. A 5527 helminth eggs in mummies dating back to 1200 BC. 
 Greek physician Hippocrates closely studied signs and symptoms
Professional Regulation Commission in humans and correlated these with possible diseases. He
 P. D 223 rejected the concept of sickness as a punishment from gods. His
 CPD contributions earned him the title Father of Medicine." He
indoctrinated not only the scientific importance of medicine but also
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY LAWS its ethical standards, as enshrined in the "Hippocratic Oath." Rufus
 Legislative fiats that have legal effects in practice of Medical of Ephesus is another Greek physician who first described
Technologist in Philippines hematuria or blood in the urine.
 Set limitations, basic rights, responsibilites, and obligations that a  Antistius, Roman physician, considered the first forensic
professional who engages in practice of medical technology must pathologist. He performed the autopsy on the corpse of Julius
observe Caesar in 44 BC. He found that Caesar suffered 23 wounds and
that only one penetrated the chest cavity, through the space
FUNCTION OF PUNISHMENT RECOMMENDED BY MEDTECH between the first and second ribs.
LAWS  In 500 AD, Indian physicians observed that some types of urine
 To protect society against actual and potential wrongdoers in attracted insects due to its high sugar content and called it
practice of profession, including medical technology madhumcha or "honey urine."" By 900 AD, Isaac Judaeus, a
Jewish physician and philosopher, had devised guidelines for using
BIOETHICS urine as a diagnostic aid. In the 16th century, Girolamo Fracastoro
 A philosophical discipline, deals with morality of human conduct in proposed a primitive version of the "germ theory." 
relation to health, to human life in general  William Harvey described the circulation of blood in 1628. 
 Marcello Malpighi fortified the concept by ascertaining the
MORALITY existence of capillaries.
 Quality of human act  English physician Richard Lower also conducted the first
a. Act must be good itself successful blood transfusion in animals in 1665. The latter part of
b. Act must be good in end the 17th century may be considered as the premier phase of
c. Circumstances other than he end must be good laboratory medicine, following the invention of microscopes.
 Antonie van Leeuwenhoek invented the so-called "Leeuwenhoek
HISTORY OF LAB SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF MEDTECH microscopes," which had better magnification, clarity, and
 In the past, illnesses and diseases were considered either curses resolution. His invention allowed humans to observe bacteria from
or punishments from gods. teeth scrapings and protozoa from animal intestines in 1674. He
 Practice of laboratory medicine can traced back even before the also made accurate descriptions of spermatozoa (1677) and red
Medieval Period. A priori, ancient physicians examined specimens blood cells (1684).
from patients. Oldest known test is urinalysis and has been carried
out since ancient times.
Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

The 18th and 19th centuries improved upon ancient practices with Japan. Widespread destruction of medical facilities, including
a radical scientific approach. public health laboratories, occurred during this time.
 Johannes Muller pioneered clinical cytology and described the  In September of 1945, the 26th Medical Laboratory of the 6th
microscopic structure of various types of cancer. United States Army arrived in the Philippines and established its
 Rudolf Virchow established the fundamentals of cellular pathology. advanced clinical laboratory at 208 Quiricada Street, Sta. Cruz,
Manila. When the 6th US Army departed, the laboratory was left in
The 20th century introduced more sophisticated methodologies in the care of the Department of Health. The clinical laboratory was
laboratory science. re-organized by Dr. Alfredo Pio De Roda, with the assistance of Dr.
 Alexander Fleming had made the landmark observation that the Mariano Icasiano. 
mold Penicillium killed staphylococci in culture.  It was renamed as Manila Public Health Laboratory. Training of
 Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian physician, discovered the major laboratory technicians ensued but did not last long because the
blood groups in 1909, and he received the 1930 Nobel Prize for formal education of medical technology in the Philippines began. 
Medicine for this achievement. He also established the Rh blood  In 1953, the Philippine Union College offered medical technology
group system around 1940. During this period, medical technology as a two-year course through the effort of Willa Hilgert Hedrick, the
education was already offered as a course in different schools pioneer of medical technology education in the Philippines. 
worldwide.  1955, Dr. Jesse Umali became its first medical technology
graduate. The course was then offered by more schools and
In the Philippines, the practice of laboratory medicine finds its eventually adopted a four-year curriculum as it gained popularity in
roots during the Spanish regime. the field of science and technology.
 The first public health laboratory was established around 1883.  June 21, 1969, Republic Act No. 5527, otherwise known as The
 1887, the Spanish colonial health system created the Laboratorio Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969, was enacted, thereby
Municipal de Manila in order to examine food, water, and clinical making the practice of medical technology a regulated profession in
specimens." During this time that native Filipinos began to engage the Philippines. The same law allows graduates of Bachelor of
in something akin to medical technology. Science in Public Health to enter the medical technology profession
after passing the required board exam for medical technologists
During the American occupation, existing medical approaches and taking the oath.
were improved upon, and public health education was introduced. 
 In 1921, legislation was passed for the establishment of School of PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST INC.
Hygiene and Public Health. (PAMET)
 1927, the University of the Philippines formally opened its degree- PAMET- national organization of all registered medical technologists
granting School of Hygiene and Public Health, a course analogous (RMTs) in the Philippines.
to medical technology education.  Founded on September 15, 1963, in the Public Health Laboratory
located at 208 Quiricada St., Sta. Cruz, Manila. The association
Health education, including public health hospitals and laboratory was organized by Mr. Crisanto G. Almario, recognized as the
services, was strengthened during the Commonwealth Era. "father of PAMET," who sought to standardize the profession and
 1939, the Department of Public Health was created. to improve and upgrade its practice.
 June 21, 1969- through the efforts of PAMET under its first
Development of public health in general was impeded during president, Charlemagne T. Tamondong-Republic Act No. 5527,
World War II, when the Philippines was invaded by the Empire of known as the Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969, was
enacted.
Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

 was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on PASMETH strives to:
October 14, 1969. a) Encourage a thorough study of the needs and problems of medical
 June 22, 1973, Presidential Decree No. 223 was approved, thereby technology education and to offer solutions for them
creating the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). On b) Work for the enhancement and continuous development of medical
September 6, 1973, through technology education in order that the profession will be of
 Proclamation No. 1181, series of 1973, Ferdinand Marcos declared maximum service to the country
the third week of September as a celebration of the medical c) Take a united stand in matters which affect the interests of medical
technology profession. technology education
 July 15, 1975, PAMET was accredited by the Professional d) Seek advice, aid, and assistance from any government or private
Regulation Commission(PRC) as the professional organization of entity for the fulfillment of the association's aims and purposes
medical technologists. PAMET was registered with the
International Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists PHILIPPINE SOCIETY OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS
(IAMLT) in 1970 and gained membership in the ASEAN (PHISMETS)
Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists (AAMLT) in 1985. PHISMETS- national organization of medical technology students
 November 22, 1989, PAMET formally adopted its official hymn, under the supervision of PASMETH president and under the
"Beloved PAMET," which was written by Hector G. Gayares, Jr. administration of the Committee on Student Development of PASMETH
and set into music by Francis Jerota Pefanco. Both were students PHISMET- is a special program that serves as a transforming venue for
of the Philippine Union College (PUC) at the time of composition. the integral and holistic development of medical technology/medical
laboratory science students. 
For almost 60 years, PAMET has represented all laboratory scientists
in uplifting the profession in the Philippines. In the PRC Resolution No.
2018-1089, series of 2018, it reiterated that PAMET is the only
accredited professional organization of medical technologists
recognized here in the Philippines. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5527 (R.A. No. 5527)
 Republic Act No: 5527, known as The Philippine Medical
PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF MEDICAL Technology Act of 1969
TECHNOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH (PASMETH)  Act requiring the registration of medical technologists in the
PASMETH- national organization of all recognized schools and Philippines, defining their practice, and for other purposes relative
colleges of medical technology and public health in the Philippines.  to the performance of professional services.
 Established on May 13, 1970, PASMETH continually seeks to  This Act is a charter that formally creates medical technology as a
improve the quality of education in the field of clinical laboratory profession in the Philippines. This law was approved on June 21,
science. 1969, and has been in force for the past 50 years.
 First organizational meeting was held at the University of Santo
Tomas on June 22, 1970, Dr. Gustavo U. Reyes was elected as  Three laws that amended R.A. No. 5527
the first president. May 17, 1971, PASMETH had its first annual a) R.A. No. 6138, which was enacted on August 31, 1970
meeting at the same university. PASMETH was formally registered b) Presidential Decree No. 498, which was approved on June 28,
with the Securities and Exchange October 6, 1985, Commission as 1974
a non-stock and non-profit entity c) Presidential Decree No. 1534, which was approved on June 11,
1978
Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

5. Clinical research involving patients or human beings requiring the

use of and/or application of medical technology knowledge and
Primary Purpose of R.A. No. 5527? procedures;
 to ensure that the professional services expected from medical 6. Preparations and standardization of reagents, standards, stains
technologists are to be rendered by competent and licensed and others,
individuals in order to protect the health and physical welfare of the provided such reagents, standards, stains and others are exclusively
public from the risks caused by unlicensed practice. for the use of their laboratory;
7. Clinical laboratory quality control;
 Nature of R.A. No. 5527? 8. Collection and preservation of specimens;
 a special penal law because this statute prohibits certain acts and
establishes penalties for their violations. Just like other special Provided, That any person who has passed the corresponding Board
penal laws, R.A. No. 5527 also defines crimes, treats of their examination for the practice of a profession already regulated by
nature, and provides for their punishment. existing law, shall not be
subject to the provisions of the last four preceding paragraphs if the
Section 1. Title- This Act may be also cited as the Philippine Medical performance of such
Technology Act of 1969. acts or services is merely incidental to his profession.
Section 2. Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act,the following
terms shall mean: b. Pathologist - A duly registered physician who is specially trained in
a. Practice of Medical Technology - A person shall be deemed to be methods of laboratory medicine, or the gross and microscopic
in the practice of medical technology within the meaning of this Act, study and interpretation of tissues, secretion and excretions of the
who shall for a fee, salary or other compensation or reward paid or human body and its functions in order to diagnose disease, follow
given directly or indirectly through another, renders any of the its course, determine the effectivity of treatment, ascertain cause of
following professional services for the purpose of aiding the death and advance medicine by means of research.
physician in the diagnosis, study and treatment of diseases and in c. Medical Technologist - A person who engages in the work of
the promotion of health in general: medical technology under the supervision of a pathologist or
licensed physician authorized by the Department of Health in
1. Examination of tissues, secretions and excretions of the human places where there is no pathologist and who having passed the
body and body fluids by various electronic, chemical, microscopic, prescribed course (Bachelor of Science in Medical
bacteriologic, hematologic, serologic, immunologic, nuclear, and Technology/Bachelor of Science in Hygiene) of training and
other laboratory procedures and techniques either manual or examination is registered under the provision of this Act.
automated; d. Medical Laboratory Technicians - A person certified and registered
2. Blood banking procedures and techniques; with the Board as qualified to assist a medical technologist and/or
3. Parasitologic, Mycologic and Microbiologic procedures and qualified pathologist in the practice of medical technology as
techniques; defined in this Act.
4. Histopathologic and Cytotechnology; provided that nothing in this e. Accredited Medical Technology Training Laboratory - A clinical
paragraph shall inhibit a duly registered medical laboratory laboratory, office, agency, clinic, hospital or sanitarium duly
technician from performing histopathologic techniques and approved by the Department of Health2 or its authorized agency.
procedures. f. Recognized School of Medical Technology - Any school, college,
or university which offers a course in Medical Technology approved
by the Department of Education in accordance with the
Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

requirements under this Act, upon recommendationof the council of e. To inspect, when necessary, the different medical technology
medical technology education. schools in the country in order to determine whether a high
g. Council - The council of medical technology education established standard of education is maintained in said institutions.
under this Act. f. To certify for admission in to an undergraduate internship students
h. Board - The Board of Examiners for Medical Technology who have satisfactorily completed three years of the medical
established under this Act. technology course or its equivalent and to collect from said student
Section 3. Council of Medical Technology Education, Its the amount of five pesos each which money accrue to the
Composition.- There is hereby established a Council of Medical operating fund of the Council.
Technology Education, hereafter referred to as Council, which shall be g. Formulate and recommend approval of refresher course for
composed of the Director of Higher Education as Chairman; the applicants who shall have failed the Board Examination for the third
Chairman of the Professional Regulation Commission as Vice- time.
Chairman; and the Director of the Bureau of Research and Laboratories h. To promulgate and prescribe and enforce necessary rules and
of the Department of Health,4 the Chairman and two (2) members of regulations for the proper implementation of the foregoing functions.
the Board of Medical Technology, a representative of the Deans of Section 6. Minimum Required Course.- The medical technology
Schools of Medical Technology and Public Health, and the Presidents course shall be at least four years, including a 12-month satisfactory
of the Philippine Society of Pathologists and the Philippine Association internship in accredited laboratories, and shall include the following
of Medical Technologists, as members. subjects:
Section 4. Compensation and Traveling Expenses of Council English
Members.- For every meeting actually attended, the Chairman shall be Biochemistry
entitled to a fifty pesos (P50.00) per diem while the members shall be Spanish
entitled to twenty-five pesos (P25.00) each regardless of whether or not Gross Anatomy
they receive regular salaries from the government. In addition, the Social Science
Chairman and members of the Council shall be entitled to traveling Histology
expenses in connection with their official duties. General Zoology
Section 5. Functions of the Council of Medical Technology Physiology
Education.- The functions of the Council shall be: Botany
a. To recommend the minimum required curriculum for the course of Clinical Parasitology
medical technology. Mathematics
b. To determine and prescribe the number of students to be allowed General PathologyCollege Physics
to take up the medical technology course in each school, taking into Microbiology
account the student-instructor ratio and the availability of facilities for General Chemistry
instruction. Biostatistics
c. To approve medical technology schools meeting the requirements Qualitative Chemistry
and recommend closure of those found to be substandard. Clinical Laboratory
d. To require all medical technology schools to submit an annual Quantitative Chemistry
report, including the total number of students and instructors, list of Methods including hematology, serology, blood banking,
facilities available for instruction, a list of their clinical microscopy, applied microbiology, and parasitology,
recent graduates and new admissions, on or before the month of June. histopathologic techniques,and cytotechnology
Section 7. Medical Technology Board.- There is hereby created a
Medical Technology Board under the Professional Regulation
Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

Commission, which shall thereafter be referred to as the Board whenever necessary, adopt such a measure may be deemed proper for
composed of a Chairman who is a pathologist, and two (2) members the maintenance of good ethic and standards in the practice of medical
who are registered medical technologists who shall be appointed by the technology;
President of the Republic of the Philippines upon recommendation of
the Professional Regulation Commission. The Chairman and members e. Investigate such violations of this Act or of the rules and regulations
of the Board shall hold office for three (3) years after appointments or issued thereunder as
until their successors shall have been appointed and duly qualified: may come to the knowledge of the Board and, for this purpose issue
Provided, That the incumbent members will continue to serve until the subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure appearance of
expiration of their terms. In case of death, disability, or removal of a witnesses and production of documents in connection with charges
member of the Board, his successor shall serve only the balance of his presented to the Board; and
term. f. Draft such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the
Section 8. Qualifications of Examiners.- No person shall be provisions of this
appointed as member of the Board of Examiners for Medical Act: Provided, that the same shall be issued only after the approval of
Technology unless he or she is (1) is a Filipino citizen; (2) is of good the President of the Philippines;
moral character; (3) is a qualified Pathologist, or a duly registered g. To determine the adequacy of the technical staff of all clinical
medical technologist of the Philippines with the degree of Bachelor of laboratories and blood banks before they could be licensed with the
Science in Medical Technology/Bachelor of Science in Hygiene/Public Department of Health in accordance with R.A. No. 4655 and 1517;
Health; (4) has been in practice of laboratory medicine or medical h. To prescribe the qualifications and training of medical technologists
technology for at least ten years prior to his appointment, and (5) is not as to special fields of
a member of the faculty of any medical technology school for at least the profession and supervise their specialty examination conducted by
two (2) years prior to appointment or having any pecuniary interest the professional organization of medical technologists accredited by the
direct or indirect in such institution: Provided, however, That for the first Professional Regulation Commission;
three i. To classify and prescribe the qualification and training of the technical
years following the approval of this Act, the requirements mentioned in staff of clinical laboratories as to: Medical Technology; Medical
number four (4) shall be reduced to five years. Technologist; Senior Medical Technologist; Medical Technologist and
Section 9. Executive Officer of the Board.- Section 10. Medical Laboratory Technician.
Compensation of Members of the Board of Examiners for Medical Section 12. Removal of Board Members.- Any member of the Board
Technology.- Each member of the Board shall receive as sum of ten may be removed by the President of the Philippines for neglect of duty,
pesos for each applicant examined and five pesos for each applicant incompetency, malpractice or unprofessional, unethical, immoral or
granted a certificate of registration without examination. dishonorable conduct after having been given opportunity to defend
Section 11. Functions and Duties of the Board.- The Board is vested himself in a proper and administrative investigation: Provided, that
with authority and during the process of investigation, the President shall have the power
required, conformably with the provisions of this Act, to: to suspend such member under investigation and appoint a temporary
a. Administer the provisions of this Act; member in his place.
b. Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act; Section 13. Accreditation of Schools of Medical Technology and of
c. Issue, suspend and revoke certificates of registration for the practice Training
of medical Laboratories.- Upon the recommendation of the Medical Technology
technology and medical laboratory technician; Board, the Department of Education and Culture15 shall approve
d. Look into conditions affecting the practice of medical technology in schools of Medical Technology in accordance with the provisions of this
the Philippines and, Act, as amended, in conjunction with the Board of Medical Technology.
Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

The Department of Health16 through the Bureau of Research and b. Has completed a course of at least four (4) years leading to the
Laboratories shall approve laboratories for accreditation as training degree of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology or Bachelor of
laboratories for medical technology students or post- Science in Public Health conferred by arecognized school, college or
graduate trainees in conjunction with the Board of Medical Technology. university in accordance with this Decree or having graduated from
The laboratories shall show satisfactory evidence that they possess some other profession and has been actually performing medical
qualified personnel and are properly equipped to carry out laboratory technology for the last five (5) years prior to the date of the
procedures commonly required in the following fields: Clinical examinations, if such performance began prior to June 21, 1969.
Chemistry, Microbiology, Serology, Parasitology, Hematology, Blood Section 17. Scope of Examination.- The examination questions shall
Banking, Clinical Microscopy, and Histopathologic techniques, and that cover the following subjects with their respective relative weights:
the scope of activities of said laboratories offer sufficient training in said Clinical Chemistry ...................................................... 20%
laboratory procedures. Microbiology & Parasitology ...................................... 20%
Section 14. Inhibition Against the Practice of Medical Technology.- Hematology ............................................................... 20%
No person shall Blood Banking & Serology ......................................... 20%
practice or offer to practice medical technology as defined in this Act Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and
without having previously other body fluids) ...................................………......... 10%
obtained a valid certificate of registration from the Board provided that Histopathologic Techniques,
registration shall not be Cytotechnology, Medical
required of the following: Technology Laws, Related
a. Duly registered physicians. Laws and its implementing
b. Medical technologist from other countries called in for consultation or rules, and the Code of Ethics ........................……….. 10%
as visiting or The Board shall prepare the schedule of subjects for examination and
exchange professors to colleges or universities: Provided, they are only to submit the same to the Commissioner of the Professional Regulation
practicing the said function. Commission for publication at least thirty (30) days before the date of
c. Medical technologists in the service of the United States Armed examination. The Board shall compute the general average of each
Forces stationed in the Philippines rendering services as such for examinee according to the above-mentioned relative weights of each
members of the said forces only. subject. Provided, however, that the Board may change, add to or
Section 15. Examination.- Except as otherwise specifically allowed remove from the list of subjects or weights above as
under the provision of this Act, all applicants for registration as medical progress in the science of Medical Technology may require, subject to
technologist shall be required to undergo written examination which the prior approval of the Professional Regulation Commission, and
shall be given by the Board annually in the greater Manila area, Cebu, publication of the change or amendment at least three (3) months prior
and Davao during the month of August or September on such days and to the date of examination in which the same is to take effect.
places as the Board may designate. Written notices of such Section 18. Report of Rating.- The Board shall, within one hundred
examination shall be published in at least three newspapers of national and twenty days after the date of completion of the examination, report
circulation by the Secretary of the Board of least thirty days prior to the the result thereof to the Commissioner of Civil Service,who shall submit
date of examination. such result to the President of the Philippines for approval.
Section 16. Qualification for Examination.- Every applicant Section 19. Rating in the Examination.- In order to pass the
examination under this Act, shall, prior to the date thereof, furnish the examination, a candidate must obtain a general average of at least
Board satisfactory proof that he or she: seventy-five percent in the written test, with no rating below fifty percent
a. Is in good health and is of good moral character; in any of the major subjects: Provided, That the candidate has not failed
in at least sixty percent of the subjects computed according to their
Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

relative weights. No further examinations, unless and until he shall have of the required fee of fifty pesos (P500.00) show evidence satisfactory
completed 12 months refresher course in an accredited laboratory: to the Board that: .
Provided, That graduate of paramedical profession other than Bachelor 1. He or she passed the civil service examination for medical
of Science in Medical Technology/Bachelor of Science in Hygiene technician given on March 21,
admitted to an examination under the provisions of this Act shall not be 1964; or
given further examinations after the provisions of this Act shall be given 2. Has finished a two-year college course and has at least one (1)
further examinations after his failure to qualify for the third time. year of experience as
Section 20. Oath Taking.- All successful examinees shall be required medical laboratory technician, Provided, that for every year of
to take a professional oath before the Board or before any person deficiency in college attainment two (2) years of experience may be
authorized to administer oaths prior to entering upon the practice of substituted; Provided, further, that an applicant who has at least ten
medical technology in the Philippines. (10) years of experience as medical laboratory technician
Section 21. Issuance of Certificate of Registration.- Every applicant as of the date of approval of this Decree regardless of his academic
who has satisfactorily passed the required examination for medical attainment may qualify for registration without examination; or
technologist shall be issued a certificate of registration as such: 3. Has failed to pass the board examination for medical technology
Provided, That no such certificate shall be issued to any successful but had obtained a general rating of at least 70%. Provided, finally,
applicant who has not attained the age of twenty-one (21) years. All that a registered medical laboratory technician when employed in
certificate shall be signed by the members of the Board and by the the government shall have the equivalent civil service eligibility not
Commissioner of the Professional Regulation Commission. The duly lower than second grade.
registered medical technologists shall be required to display his Section 22. Fees.- The Board shall charge each applicant for
certificate of registration in the place where he works. Provided, that examination and registration the sum of fifty pesos for each certificate
upon application filed and the payment of the required fee of one of registration issued without prior examination in accordance with the
hundred and fifteen pesos (P115.00) the Board shall issue a certificate provisions of this Act the sum of twenty-five pesos; for
of registration as medical technologist without examination to persons issuance of a new certificate to replace certificate lost, destroyed or
who have been graduated with Bachelor of Science in Medical mutilated, the Board shall charge the sum of ten pesos. All such fees
Technology/Bachelor of Science in Public Health in duly shall be paid to the disbursing officer of the Civil Service Commission
recognizedschools of medical technology in the Philippines or in any who shall pay from the receipts thereof, all authorized expenses of the
foreign country, Provided, That in case of the latter, the standard of Board including the compensation of each member.
medical technology education is substantially the same as ours, and Section 23. Refusal to issue Certificate.- The Board shall refuse to
in addition shall have been in the practice of medical technology for at issue a certificate of registration to any person convicted by the court of
least three (3) years prior to the filing of the application in laboratories in competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude,
the Philippines duly accredited by the Bureau of Research and or any person guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct, or of unsound
Laboratories, Department of Health, or in foreign countries if such mind, or incurable communicable disease, and in such shall be give to
performance began prior to June 21, 1969 and also to all other persons the applicant a written statement setting forth the reason for its action,
who having graduated from other professions have been actually which statement shall be incorporated in the record of the Board.
performing medical technology practice for the last eight (8) years Section 24. Administrative Investigation.- Revocation or
prior to filing of the application, Provided, that such performance began Suspension of Certificates - Administrative investigation shall be
prior to June 21, 1969. Provided, further, that the Board shall likewise conducted by at least two members of the Board with one
issue a certificate of registration as medical laboratory technician legal officer sitting during all administrative proceedings, the
without examination to any person who upon application and payment respondents shall be entitled to be represented by counsel or be heard
in person, to have a speedy and public hearing, to confront
Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

and cross-examine witnesses against him or her, and to all other rights this Act shall become effective. This roster shall contain the name,
guaranteed by the Constitution. The Board may, after giving proper address and citizenship of each registered Medical Technologist, date
notice and hearing to the party concerned reprimand an erring medical of registration or issuance of certificate, and other data which in the
technologist or revoke or suspend his certificate of registration for opinion of the Board are pertinent. The roster shall be open to public
causes mentioned in the next preceding section or for causes inspection
enumerated in section twenty-nine (29) of this Act, or for unprofessional and copies thereof shall be mailed to each person included therein,
conduct, malpractice, incompetency, or serious ignorance or gross placed on file in the Office of the President, furnished all Department
negligence in the practice of medical technology. No penalty of Heads and all bureau, offices and instrumentalities of the
revocation shall be imposed unless there is a unanimous vote of all the Department of Health and to such other offices, private or
three members of the Board. The Board may, by majority vote, impose governmental, and to the public upon request.
the penalty or reprimand or suspension, the latter however not to Section 29. Penal Provisions.- Without prejudice to the provision of
exceed two years. When the penalty of suspension or revocation is the Medical Act of 1959 as amended relating to illegal practice of
imposed by the Board the medical technologist shall be required to Medicine, the following shall be punished by a fine of not less than two
surrender his certificate of registration within thirty days after the thousand pesos nor more than five thousand pesos, or imprisonment
decision becomes final, under the pain of perpetual disqualification from for not less than six months nor more than two years, or both, in the
the practice of medical technology in the Philippines for inexcusable discretion of the court:
failure to do so. The suspension shall run from the date of such a. Any person who shall practice Medical Technology in the Philippines
surrender. without being registered or exempted from registration in accordance
Section 25. Appeal.- The revocation or suspension of a certificate with the provisions of this Act;
made by the Board shall be subject to appeal to the Civil Service b. Any medical technologist, even if duly registered, who shall practice
Commissioner whose decision shall become final thirty days after its medical technology in the Philippines without the necessary supervision
promulgation, unless the respondent within the same period has of a qualified pathologist or physician authorized by the Department of
appealed to the office of the President of the Philippines. Health;
Section 26. Reinstatement, Reissue or Replacement of Certificate.- c. Any medical technologist who shall knowingly make a fraudulent
The Board may, upon application and for reason deemed proper and laboratory report;
sufficient, reissue any revoked registration certificate. The suspension d. Any duly registered medical technologist who shall refuse or fail,
of a certificate shall be re-issued to the medical technologist concerned after due warning by the
upon request without prejudice to further actions by the Board for Board to display his certificate of registration in the place where he
violation of the provisions of this Act or conditions imposed by the works;
Board upon the medical technologist during the period of suspension. e. Any person presenting or attempting to use as his own, the certificate
Section 27. Foreign Reciprocity.- No foreigner shall be admitted to of registration of
examination, or be given a certificate of registration or be entitled to any another;
of the rights and privileges under this Act, unless the country or state of f. Any person who shall give any false or fraudulent evidence of any
which he is a subject or citizen permitsFilipino Medical kind to the Board or
Technologist to practice within its territorial limits on the same as the any member thereof in obtaining a certificate of registration as Medical
subject or citizens of said country or state. Technologist;
Section 28. Roster of Medical Technologist.- A roster of Medical g. Any person who shall impersonate any registrant of like or the same
Technologist shall be prepared annually by the Secretary of the Board, name;
commencing on the year following that in which h. Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended
certificate of registration;
Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics

i. Any person who shall in connection with his name or otherwise,

assume, use or advertise
any title or description tending to convey the impression that he is a
Medical Technologist without holding a valid certificate of registration;
j. Any person or corporate body who shall allow anyone in his employ
who is not a
registered medical technologist/medical laboratory technician to engage
in the practice of medical technology or recommend for appointment
anyone to the position of medical
technologist/medical laboratory technician knowing that he is not
registered as such.
k. Any person or corporate body who shall violate the rules and
regulations of the Board or
orders promulgated by it after having been duly approved and issued
by the President ofthe Philippines upon recommendation of the
Commissioner of Civil Service for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of this Act.
Section 30. Separability Clause.- All acts, executive, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions to any
persons or circumstances is declare invalid by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act of the application of such
provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by
such declaration.
Section 31. Repealing Clause.- All acts, executive, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed: Provided, however, that nothing in this Act shall
be construed as repealing or amending any portion of the Medical Act
of 1959 (R.A. 2382, as amended by R.A. 4224), the Clinical Laboratory
Act of 1966 (R.A. 4688), and the Blood Banking Law of 1956 (R.A.
1517).
Section 32. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect upon its approval

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