A graduate of Lyceum Northwestern University in Dagupan City has been identified as the top performer in this year’s Physicians Licensure Examination, ending a brief period of uncertainty over the result.
Erwin Ken Parchaso claimed the top spot in the 2026 board exam, the Professional Regulation Commission confirmed in a Facebook post on April 17. The announcement came after the PRC had initially withheld the topnotcher’s name, citing the need for further verification.
His alma mater wasted no time in marking the achievement. “This exceptional accomplishment reflects outstanding excellence, dedication, and the strong foundation of medical education within the Lycean community,” LNU said in a statement posted on Sunday. “A proud and well-deserved honor for Dr. Parchaso,” it added.
The PRC has not yet released Parchaso’s exact board rating, leaving that detail pending.
Rounding out the top three are Alexis Bernardo Temblique of Cagayan State University-Tuguegarao, who placed second with a rating of 90.58%, and Enrico Jose Pacatang Gomez of the De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, who ranked third at 89.92%.
Parchaso is one of 1,954 candidates who passed the March examination out of 2,781 who sat for it.
