A record 95.5% tops the Philippines' physician exam as 4,165 new doctors qualify

Maxine Baculo of the University of Santo Tomas scored 95.50% in the October 2026 physician licensure examinations — reported as the highest rating in the exam's history — and every one of UST's 312 examinees passed. Nationwide, 4,165 of 4,445 candidates qualified (93.7%), a leap from 70.41% in the previous cycle, with UST, UP Manila and the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health among the schools posting perfect passing rates. Behind each percentage point is a new doctor, years of study done, ready to be posted where patients are waiting.

SDG 4 · Quality education