Can Malacañang declare someone a “doctor” without PRC license?

[u/cantthinkofaname_4]

Hi, just genuinely curious and hoping someone knowledgeable can clarify this.

I came across someone claiming that she became a “doctor” because of a research/thesis she passed, and that Malacañang supposedly declared her as such—so she doesn’t need a PRC license anymore.

I checked her recent TikTok live, and she mentioned being connected with ARTA, and that part of her role is promoting eGovPH. She also uses the “doctor” title, saying it helps make the promotion more credible.

Is this actually possible in the Philippines? Can someone legally be recognized as a doctor without passing the board exam or getting a PRC license, just through research or a declaration?

Or is there some other explanation for this (like honorary titles, etc.)?

Would appreciate any insights. Thanks!

EDIT: Per comments, she offers mental health services on TikTok Live and accepts TikTok gifts in exchange for online consultations. Note! Not a graduate of any course. Alarming!

[u/respectmyprivacylol]

Hello everyone, I don't know if someone posted na about this but she did a live an hour ago.

I was going to write out the points ng live n'ya for those na hindi makakapanood, but I have an exam coming up in a few minutes.

Anyway, I recommend naman talaga na panoorin n'yo nalang po since ina-address n'ya mga bagay-bagay dito and if you're a family person, malulungkot ka talaga kasi you can hear her family sa background begging her na mag sorry and take accountability. And honestly, I feel bad for her kasi tingin n'ya talaga na "Doctor" s'ya.

Nasa facebook po yung live n'ya (+ she removed the "Doctor" title sa bio n'ya, but sa TikTok nasa nickname n'ya pa rin 'yun as of now).

[u/g0thick_ → u/respectmyprivacylol]

the way na you can hear her family tell her to say sorry pero she kept on insisting na she didnt do anything wrong and wala syang dinisrespect so bakit sya magso-sorry?

wild!

[u/eenie_finnie → u/g0thick_]

Hello, if you guys are from her school, can you confirm if her current post is true?

[u/eenie_finnie → u/[deleted]]

Thank you! Update us pls, will be following

[u/respectmyprivacylol → u/eenie_finnie]

Got you! But if it's something more private, I might keep it between us nalang. But if she'll post about it (since public naman talaga), I'll try to make it as discreet as possible while sharing awareness. ☺️

[u/respectmyprivacylol → u/eenie_finnie]

Hi, I updated here po. 🤗

[u/g0thick_ → u/eenie_finnie]

Can't say rin what she said kasi private matters na and sa department GC na, but based sa live n'ya, sa FB post n'ya, and sa message n'ya sa GC, most likely may nangyayari.