After Weeks of Speculation, PRC Finally Names PLE Top 1
PRC – The Professional Regulation Commission has officially revealed the identity of the top examinee in the March 2026 Physician Licensure Examination after weeks of speculation. The top scorer, whose name was initially listed as “Name Withheld,” was confirmed to be Dr. Erwin Ken A. Parchaso from Lyceum-Northwestern University.
The issue first gained attention when the exam results were released on April 8, 2026, with the top ranker’s identity hidden. This unusual move led to public curiosity and online discussions, with some people questioning the reason behind the decision. Others began to form theories, including doubts about the results and suggestions of possible irregularities.
After more than a week, the PRC clarified that the name was temporarily withheld for further verification. According to the agency, this step is part of a standard process when certain matters arise during internal review. These may include checking scores, validating reports, or ensuring that all data is accurate. The commission emphasized that the delay was not due to any doubt about the examinee’s ability or integrity. In fact, it noted that the top scorer showed strong and consistent performance across all subjects.
The PRC explained that the review process was necessary to confirm the accuracy and reliability of the results before making them official. Once the evaluation was completed, the name of Dr. Parchaso was formally released on April 17, 2026, and included in the official list of top examinees.
Meanwhile, his university publicly congratulated him, highlighting his achievement as a result of hard work, dedication, and quality education. Many people also shared messages of support and praise online, although some continued to question why the process took time, especially since he came from a less widely known institution.
Despite the mixed reactions, the final announcement confirmed Dr. Parchaso as the top performer among 1,954 new doctors who passed out of 2,781 examinees.