PMA CODE OF ETHICS

AND SPECIALTY
BOARDS
GROUP 6 – MISLANG, QUINONES, REYES,
ROSELLOSA, RUTLEDGE
PMA Code of Ethics

PREAMBLE
This Code of Ethics is promulgated to provide the physicians with proper ethical and professional standards in
the practice of Medicine to ensure the safety and welfare of patients.
This Code sets forth the fundamental ethical principles and the professional responsibilities of physicians
towards patients, the healthcare system, the community, their colleagues and the profession, allied
professionals and the health products industry.
On entering the profession, a physician assumes the obligation of maintaining the honorable tradition that
confers the well-deserved title of a "friend of mankind".
The physician should cherish a proper pride in the calling and conduct himself/herself in accordance with this
Code and in the generally accepted principles of the International Code of Medical Ethics.
PMA Code of Ethics
Article I: Fundamental Principles
Sec. 1 - The fundamental principles to guide
the physicians in the practice of their
profession.
1.1 Principle of Respect of Life
1.2 Principle of Respect for Person
1.3 Principle of Social Justice
1.4 Principle of Beneficence
1.5 Primum Non Nocere - “do no harm”
Article II: General Principles
Sec. 2 - The general principles to guide the
physicians in the practice of their profession.
2.1 Primary Objective: service to
mankind
2.2 Physicians should be upright,
diligent, sober, modest, imbued with
professionalism and well-versed in
the science, the art and the ethics of the
profession.
2.3 Physicians shall promote the health of their
patients as their primary consideration,
2.4 Physicians should fulfill their civic duties of
a good citizen, must conform to the laws and
cooperate with the proper authorities in the
application of medical knowledge for the
promotion of health and public safety.
2.5 Physicians should work together in
harmony and mutual respect.
2.6 Physicians should cooperate with other
healthcare professionals in the context of
inter-professional and collaborative practice in
support of better healthcare.
2.7 Physicians, although they have certain
rights in relation to their patients, shall always
observe the dictum service beyond call of
duty.
PMA Code of Ethics

Article III: Professional Responsibilities to 3.9.2 The physician shall

Patients demonstrate professionalism at
Sec. 3 - Physicians' responsibilities to patients: all times when dealing with
3.1 Professional Competence patients;
3.2 Patients’ Trust 3.9.3. The physician shall
3.3 Human Dignity demonstrate professionalism at
3.4 Professional Fees all times when dealing with
3.5 Disclosure patients;
3.6 Autonomy 3.9.4 The physician shall attend
3.7 Privacy and Confidentiality to patients within the limits of his
capabilities;
3.8 Emergency Cases
3.9 Decorum and Behavior of a
3.9.5 The physician shall respect
Physician the patient’s right to seek a
3.9.1 The physician shall be free second opinion;
to choose whom they will serve,
except in cases of emergency; 3.9.6 The physician shall not
exploit the patients for any
personal gain.
PMA Code of Ethics
Article IV: Professional Responsibilities to the
Health Care System

Sec. 4 - Physicians' responsibility to the health 5.3 Protection against unlicensed

care system:
practitioners
5.4 Promotion of Practice
4.1 Improving Quality of Care
5.5 Media Exposure
4.2 Improving access to care
Article VI: Physician Responsibilities to the
4.3 Cost-effective management of
Profession
limited healthcare resources
Sec. 6 - Responsibilities to the profession:
4.4 Research
6.1 Continuing Professional
Article V: Professional Responsibilities to the
Development
Community
6.2 Professional Interactions
Sec. 5 - The physicians' responsibility to the
6.3 Professional Decorum
community:
5.1 Government
5.2 Duly Constituted Health
Authorities
PMA Code of Ethics
Article VII: Professional Responsibilities to 7.4 Substitution for
Colleagues in the Medical Profession Suspended Patient Care
Sec. 7 - Physicians' responsibilities to their 7.5 Professional
colleagues in the medical profession. Compensation
7.1 Protecting the good name of a 7.6 Emergencies
colleague 7.7 Sharing Expertise with
7.2 Professional Courtesy to Colleagues
Colleagues Article VIII: Professional Responsibilities to Allied
7.3 Conflict Management among Health Professionals
Physicians. The conflict may be settled Sec. 8 - Responsibilities of the physician to the
within the Ethics allied health professionals
Committee/Commission of the following: 8.1 Teamwork
7.3.1 Department/s; 8.2 Safeguarding Interest/DIgnity
7.3.2 Institution; 8.3 Maintaining Propriety
7.3.3 Philippine Medical 8.4 Legitimate Practice; Illegal
Association Practice of Medicine.
7.3.4 Professional Regulation
Commission
PMA Code of Ethics
Article XI: Amendments
This Code of Ethics may be amended as follows:
a. Upon recommendation by PMA Commission
Article IX: Professional Relationship with the
on Ethics,
Health Product Industry
b. Upon approval by the PMA Board of
Sec. 9 - Physicians’ professional relationship
Governors duly ratified by the General
with the health product health industry
Assembly, and,
9.1 Common Good
c. Upon approval by the Professional
9.2 Ethical and Professional Conduct
Regulation Commission through the Board of
Article X: Penal Provisions
Medicine
Violation of any section of the Code of Ethics
Article XII: Effectivity
shall constitute unethical and unprofessional
This Codes takes effect upon adoption by the
conduct, and therefore be a sufficient ground
Philippine Medical Association and the Professional
for the reprimand, suspension, or revocation of
Regulation Commission (through the Board of
the certificate of registration of the offending
Medicine) and fifteen (15) days after posting in the
physician in accordance with the provisions of
PMA Website and/or publication in the Newsletter
the Medical Act of 1959 as amended and
"The Physician" of the Philippine Medical Association,
Republic Act 8981 (PRC Modernization Act of
and publication in a reputable publishing
2000).
establishment.
Code for Professional Specialization
Resolution No. 120, series 2010

Article I: General Provisions Article II: Commission on Professional

Sec. 1 - Title: Code for Professional
Specialization (CPS) of the Philippine Medical
Association.
Sec. 2 - Purpose:
1. Govern the activities of members who
have undergone specialized training in
the different fields of medicine.
2. Form and organize the professional
societies in specialized disciplines, and
determine the relationship of such
specialty societies to each other.
3. Standardize the composition and
function of the certifying Board of each
specialty/subspecialty
Sec. 3 - Implementing Body: Commission on
Professional Specialization
Specialization
Sec. 1 - Composition: The Commission shall
be composed of a Chairperson and eight (8)
members appointed by the President with the
concurrence of the Board who must be a
member in good standing of his respective
specialty and the Philippine Medical
Association.
A. Qualifications
1. Chairperson – must be a Past
President of any of the eight divisions.
2. Members - must be the Incumbent
President of each of the eight (8)
specialty divisions or their designated
representative.
Code for Professional Specialization
Resolution No. 120, series 2010

B. Tenure of Appointments
1. Chairman – The Chairman shall
3. To receive the annual report of the
serve for a term of One (1) year. He/She
divisions and make necessary
may be appointed for a maximum of two
recommendations to the Board of
consecutive terms.
Governors.
2. Members – The Commission shall
4. To monitor and evaluate the activities
consist of eight (8) members, who shall
of the divisions and make appropriate
serve for a term of one (1) year.
recommendation to the Board of
Sec. 2 - Removal from Office
governors
Sec. 3 - Functions
5. To resolve problems referred by the
1. To coordinate the activities of the
divisions
various divisions
6. To make recommendation regarding
2. To study and recommend measures
creation/formation of additional divisions
to strengthen the recognized specialty
as the need arises.
societies and to standardize their
respective certifying board.
Code for Professional Specialization
Resolution No. 120, series 2010
Article III: Divisions, Specialty, and Subspecialty
Societies
Only one specialty or sub-specialty society in
each discipline shall be recognized by the
Commission.
Sec. 1 - Definition:
1.1 Specialty division is a recognized
aggrupation of various specialty and
subspecialty societies, bounded with unifying
or common features. These divisions are:
Anesthesiology, Family and Community
Medicine, Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology,
Pathology Pediatrics, Radiology, and Surgery
1.2 Specialty society is an organization of
licensed physicians which has a nationally
recognized training program and a specialty
board which certifies its individual members as
to training and competence in the practice of
their discipline.
1.3 Sub-specialty society is an organization of
licensed physicians under and recognized by
the lead society whose members underwent
further training in a particular field of the lead
specialty
Code for Professional Specialization
Resolution No. 120, series 2010
Sec. 2 - Qualifications:
2.1 Specialty Division: a division maybe
recognized as a division if it meets the
following requirements:
2.1.1. It must be composed of one or
more specialty and one or more
subspecialty societies.
2.1.2. The societies within the divisions
must be composed solely of physicians
licensed to practice in the Philippines.
2.1.3. It should have mechanism of
recognizing and monitoring of specialty/
subspecialty societies within the
division.
2.2 Specialty Societies - a society may be
recognized as a specialty society if it meets the
following requirements
2.2.1 It shall be national in scope and
shall have no less than (50) active
members.
2.2.2 Its members shall be engaged in
the practice of the same specialty.
2.2.3 Its members shall be active
members of their respective PMA
Component medical societies.
2.2.4 It shall have a Constitution and By-
Laws consistent with the By-Laws of the
PMA.
Code for Professional Specialization
Resolution No. 120, series 2010
2.2.5 It represents a specialty where no
other society of the same specialty holds
charter with the PMA.
2.2.6 It shall have a system of
accreditation and evaluation of its
training programs.
2.2.7 It shall have a specialty Board that
evaluates and certifies the competency
of the graduates of its accredited
training programs.
2.3 Sub-specialty Societies – a society may
be recognized as a sub-specialty society if it
meets the following requirements:
2.3.1 It shall be national in scope and
shall have no less than (15) active
members.
2.3.2 Its members shall be engaged in
the practice of the same sub-specialty.
2.3.3 Its members shall be active
members of their respective PMA
component medical societies
2.3.4 Standard for training and system
of accreditation of its training program.
2.3.5 The subspecialty may or may not
be boarded
2.2.6 It shall have a Constitution and By-
Laws consistent with the PMA By-Laws.
2.2.7 It represents a sub-specialty where
no other society of the same sub-
specialty holds charter with the PMA.
2.2.8 It must be recognized by the
Specialty Society of the Division.
Code for Professional Specialization
Resolution No. 120, series 2010

3.5 They shall have the privilege of

Sec. 3 - Rights and Privileges of Specialty
PMA accreditation of their scientific
and Sub-specialty Societies
activities.
3.1 They shall be autonomous in their
3.6 They shall have the privilege to be
internal affairs.
endorsed by the PMA to the appropriate
3.2 They shall be represented in the
agencies as the recognized specialty
General Assembly by the President or
and sub-specialty society. (i.e. PRC,
any duly designated representative from
PHIC, SEC)
the lead specialty society of the division.
Sec. 4 - Responsibilities of Lead Specialty
3.3 They shall have the privilege to
of Divisions, Specialty, and Sub-specialty
participate in the scientific programs and
Societies
other activities of the PMA.
4.1. Divisions
3.4 They shall be entitled to publish
4.1.1. The lead specialty of the division
scientific papers of their members in the
shall endorse for recommendation the
Journal of the PMA.
recognition of new specialty/
subspecialty in the division
Code for Professional Specialization
Resolution No. 120, series 2010
4.1.2. The lead specialty society,
shall call a meeting of the division
at least once a year to discuss
issues and concerns which shall be
elevated to the Commission,
4.1.3. The lead specialty society,
shall collect annual reports required
by the PMA below.
Sec. 5 - Lead Specialty Societies
Anesthesiology - Philippine Society of Anesthesiologist
Family & Community Medicine – Philippine Academy of
Family Physicians
Medicine – Philippine College of Physicians
Obstetrics & Gynecology – Philippine Obstetrical &
Gynecological Society
Pathology – Philippine Society of Pathologists
Pediatrics – Philippine Pediatric Society
Radiology – Philippine College of
Radiology Surgery – Philippine College of Surgeons
Code for Professional Specialization
Resolution No. 120, series 2010
Article IV: Recognition, Termination, and
Withdrawal
Sec. 1 - Recognition
1.1 As provided for in Article III Section 5
of the Code, there are eight (8) specialty
societies designated as lead specialty
societies of the corresponding eight (8)
divisions. Any changes in the
designation shall have the approval of at
least two thirds (2/3) of the members of
the Board of Governors.
1.2 Recognition of sub-specialty shall be
through the lead specialty society of the
Division, provided that such recognition
shall be in accordance with Article III of
the Code. 1.3 Annual dues – Annual
dues for specialty and sub-specialty
society
Sec. 2 - Termination of Recognition – Upon
recommendation of the Commission on
Professional Specialization and subject to the
approval by the Board of Governors, the
charter of a specialty society may be cancelled
on any of the following grounds.
2.1 Failure to submit the annual report to
the Commission on Professional
Specialization for two (2) consecutive
years.
2.2 Failure to pay the annual dues to the
PMA for two (2) consecutive years.
2.3 An act inimical against the
profession or the PMA.
Code for Professional Specialization
Resolution No. 120, series 2010

Sec. 3 - Withdrawal of Recognition

3.1 Any specialty society may withdraw
recognition from the PMA upon
presentation of a Board Resolution
ratified by at least 2/3 of the general
membership to the President of the PMA
through the Commission on Professional
Specialization.
Controversy
What: A video posted on YouTube
showing doctors laughing while removing
an object from a patient’s rectum may
lead to charges against the surgeons and
cost them their medical licenses.

Where: Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical

Center (VSMMC) Cebu, Philippines

When: April 2008

Position of the Group
The behavior exhibited by the doctors and
nurses in the operating room was a gross
violation of the oath they took as health
care professionals. It showed their
unprofessionalism; And the act was made
worse by publishing the video on a video-
sharing site without the knowledge or
consent of the patient.

Sections of the PMA Code of Ethics

violated:

● Article I Sec. 1.2

● Article III Sec. 3.3
● Article III Sec. 3.7
● Article III Sec. 3.9.2 and 3.9.3
Summary
The Philippine Medical Association (PMA)
has amended its code of ethics after a
rectal surgery scandal in a hospital in
central visayas, Philippines was posted
on YouTube.

The Philippine Medical Association has

admitted that doctors' image have been
"tainted" lately because of the
"unfortunate event" in Cebu City where a
rectal surgery of a male patient was
posted on YouTube, they noted the
importance of strengthening the ethical
guidelines for physicians.
Conclusion

As future physicians, our main

priority is our patients whom we
have sworn to serve in the best
interest of the patient.
References:

Case: PMA Code of Ethics:

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/r
egions/89828/cebu-doctors-could-lose-licen
ses-over-scandal/story/?fbclid=IwAR3h5Dl86
Uac9Rx7z-MEFf-wDFz-4IiAhjdk2Y2vSoxDmH
5srhm8zRmg3Ms
https://www.philippinemedicalassociation.or
g/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Code-of-Ethi
cs-of-the-Medical-Profession-1.pdf

https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/philippines
/philippine-doctors-to-amend-code-of-ethics
-after-rectal-surgery-scandal-1.98803