A woman who operates a diagnostic center in San Pedro City in Laguna and represents herself as a psychiatrist has been arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) during an entrapment operation.
The NBI identified the arrested “fake physician” as Miriam So Magayanes who “conducts assessments, evaluations, and prescribes medication to her clients.”
It said it acted on an information that “an individual is allegedly practicing as a mental health professional without the necessary license and qualifications.”
Based on the information, the NBI said it conducted “series of surveillance and verification with the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) to verify the legitimacy of Subject Magayanes’ medical practice registration in our country and the operation of her clinic.”
It said that “certification from PRC stated that Magayanes does not appear in the database of licensed physicians in the Philippines.”
Also, it said that her clinic, the Magayanes and Diagnostic Center, “does not possess a valid DOH (Department of Health) License Facility.”
After her arrest last July 19, the NBI said that Magayanes was charged with violations of Section 28 (Illegal Practice of Medicine) of Republic Act No. 2382, the Medical Act of 1959.”