SENATOR Joel Villanueva encouraged the youth to pursue degrees in medicine as he congratulated the 3,845 new doctors who passed the October 2024 Physician Licensure Examination.

Villanueva highlighted that medicine courses are now free in public Schools of Medicine thanks to the “Doktor Para sa Bayan Act,” which he authored and sponsored in the Senate.

Currently, 23 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in 15 regions across the country offer medical programs, with six more expected to provide medical scholarships and return service programs next year.

Among the new doctors is Loudette Bautista, daughter of Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Congresswoman Lani Mercado-Revilla.

Senator Revilla expressed pride in his daughter’s achievement, saying it is another addition to the many blessings he is thankful for. Dr. Loudette earned her pre-med degree from Ateneo de Manila University and completed her medical studies at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center.

Last year, another of Revilla’s children, Atty. Inah Bautista Del Rosario, passed the Bar exams.