Medical Services | De Los Santos Medical Center

Research Ethics Committee

The De Los Santos Medical Center Research Ethics Committee (DLSMC-REC) ensures that all research involving human participants upholds the highest ethical, scientific, and technical standards.

Established in 2023, the DLSMC-REC operates independently under the oversight of the Chief Medical Officer and is composed of multidisciplinary members trained in research ethics and good clinical practice. Guided by national and international guidelines, the committee reviews proposals to safeguard participant rights and promote responsible research practices within and beyond the institution

Benedict G. Antazo, MAC currently serves as the Chair of De Los Santos Medical Center - Research Ethics Committee. With five years of academic experience, he previously served as Program Head of a Psychology Department in a private tertiary institution, leading curriculum development and research initiatives.

Benedict earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Philippine Women’s University, Quezon City (2017), and a Master’s in Counseling from De La Salle University, Manila (2019). He completed 15 units in PhD Educational Psychology before pursuing a PhD in Health Sciences (by research) at De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute.

An active researcher, Benedict has authored over a dozen publications, with some appearing in esteemed international journals such as Nature Human Behavior and PNAS Nexus. His research interests include mental health, psychometrics, AI integration in psychological research, and research methodology.
Benedict G. Antazo, MAC
Chair | Health and Social Sciences
Dr. Charles Abraham C. Villamin is a distinguished Filipino orthopedic surgeon and academic, currently serving as Assistant Professor and Chair of the Research Ethics Board at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. He also leads the Bone and Sarcoma Unit at the Benavides Cancer Institute, UST Hospital.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman with a degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Dr. Villamin earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Santo Tomas. He is a Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Orthopaedics and a fellow of several professional societies, including the Philippine Orthopaedic Association and the Philippine Hip & Knee Society. With specialization in musculoskeletal oncology and joint replacement surgery, Dr. Villamin has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and presented research both locally and internationally. His work reflects a strong commitment to advancing orthopedic science and medical ethics in the Philippines.
Charles Abraham C. Villamin, M.D.
Vice Chair | Orthopedics
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Mariz P. Esteves
Member Secretary | Lay
Dr. Ma. May Jasmin R. Ramos-Yason is an accomplished dermatologist, mentor, educator, researcher, and medical leader with extensive training in medical dermatology, dermatologic surgery, photodermatology and occupational health and safety. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Santo Tomas, where she developed a strong foundation in clinical research and evidence-based medicine. Before specializing in dermatology, she trained in Occupational Health and safety at the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines. She then completed her residency in dermatology at Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, where she served as Chief Resident. To further refine her expertise, she pursued advanced training through the Graduate Education Specialty Training (GEST) program in Dermatologic and Laser Surgery at the University of Miami and an Advanced Dermatology Fellowship in Photobiology and Phototherapy at the National Skin Center in Singapore.

Dr. Ramos-Yason has also undergone numerous training in research methodology, scientific writing, biostatistics, and medical ethics, including research design, evidence-based medicine, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training, and Basic Research Ethics Training for Research Ethics Committees. Throughout her career, she has authored and co-authored numerous research studies as part of her teaching roles in the residency training programs at Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, De Los Santos Medical Center, and Valenzuela Medical Center. Some of these studies have been published and presented at international medical congresses, contributing to advancements in dermatologic science.

In addition to her clinical expertise, Dr. Ramos-Yason holds multiple leadership positions that highlight her commitment to the medical community. She is the Immediate Past President of the Quezon City Medical Society and currently serves as Chair of the Committee on Scholarship and Grants. She is also an active member of the Philippine Medical Association's Continuing Professional Development Commission and a core member of the Photodermatology and Dermatologic Surgery Subspecialty Groups of the Philippine Dermatological Society. She leads several institutions, serving as Head of the Dermatology Center and Section of Dermatology at De Los Santos Medical Center, where she is also a regular member of the Research Ethics Committee. Additionally, she oversees the Psoriasis North Referral Center at Valenzuela Medical Center and heads the Occupational Health and Safety Committee at Bocaue Specialists Medical Center.

Dr. Ramos-Yason’s dedication to her profession has been recognized through numerous awards. She has received the Distinction Award for Service to Medical Society from the Philippine Dermatological Society and was named Doctor of the Year by Psoriasis Philippines. Her leadership has been honored with the Icasiano Award for Outstanding Leadership, the Leadership Award from the Quezon City Medical Society, and the PMA Award for Exemplary Humanitarian Service in Times of Calamities. She was also recognized as a Top Doctor in Dermatology at De Los Santos Medical Center and received both the Member of Distinction Award from the Philippine Academy of Dermatologic Surgery Foundation, Inc. and the Presidential Merit Award from the Quezon City Medical Society.
Ma. May Jasmin R. Ramos-Yason, M.D.
Member | Dermatology
Dr. Maria Charmian M. Hufano is an Internist and Infectious Disease Specialist with special interest in antimicrobial resistance, genomic surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship.

She is a member of the Research Ethics Committee and heads both the section of Infectious Diseases and the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee at De Los Santos Medical Center. She also serves as assistant head of the section of Infectious Diseases and head of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee at St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City. Additionally, she is the Assistant Treasurer and a Board Member of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID).

Dr. Hufano completed her Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at St. Luke's Medical Center and earned her medical degree from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center. She was also the previous assistant head of the Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Reference Laboratory of the Department of Health where she underwent postgraduate trainings in laboratory quality management systems, biosafety and genomic surveillance.

Her research on antimicrobial resistance and genomic surveillance has been published in international journals, and she has received awards for her academic excellence and her contributions to healthcare.
Maria Charmian M.Hufano, M.D.
Member | Infectious Diseases
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Maria Conchitina T. Bandong, M.D.
Member | Newborn Medicine and Pediatrics
Fr. Abraham B. Pinuela, MJ is a religious missionary priest currently assigned in San Andres Mission Station in Tangos, Navotas City. His dedication for Christ's mission inspires him to be in solidarity with the poor and to journey with the lost, last and least in the mission area. He holds baccalaureate degrees in Philosophy and Theology and masters in Education major in Psychology and Guidance and in Pastoral Ministry, as well as a post-graduate specialization in psychotherapy, Personal Integration Therapy using the Direct Approach to the Unconscious from Brazil. These degrees enable him to help different kinds of people in their psychological and spiritual needs. He was an elementary, high school, college and graduate school professor, thesis adviser and panelist for more than a decade before he became a priest. He has been involved as a peer reviewer of research papers and publications in some schools in the country.
Rev. Fr. Abraham Barranco Pinuela, MJ
Non-Affiliated Member | Educational and Social Sciences
Jazmin C. Tangsoc, currently serves as the vice chair of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department. She attended the training in Basic Research Training and Ethics Review Training Workshop. She has taught for 21 years at De La Salle University- Manila.

Jazmin earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering with a minor in Chemical Engineering from De La Salle University – Manila (1998) and a Master's in Human Factors Engineering from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2005). She completed 18 units in PhD in Industrial Engineering at De La Salle University Manila.

An active researcher, Jazmin has published several articles and SCOPUS conference proceedings. Some articles have been published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, and Industrial Engineering and Management Systems. Her area of research includes health care, user experience, product design, human-computer interaction, cognitive ergonomics and artificial intelligence.
Engr. Jazmin Chong Tangsoc
Non-Affiliated Member | Lay
Charlene Khate Flores is an Administrative Associate in the Office of the Vice President for Medical Affairs at De Los Santos Medical Center and also serves as the Secretary of the Kidney Transplant Ethics Committee, with extensive experience in medical affairs administration and support for research ethics. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Office Administration from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in 2025. She is dedicated to supporting ethical practices in medical research and transplantation through her proficient administrative assistance and her role in facilitating the efficient conduct of ethical review processes.
Charlene Khate R. Flores
Member | Lay
Coleen Andrea S. Samson is a dedicated administrative professional currently serving as an Administrative Associate for the Research Ethics Committee at De Los Santos Medical Center. A graduate of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Sta. Mesa with a Bachelor of Science in Office Administration, she consistently earned academic honors as a President’s Lister. During her academic journey, Coleen gained valuable internship experience in both Human Resources and Medical Affairs, including a placement at De Los Santos Medical Center, where she first developed her interest in healthcare administration. With a solid foundation in office operations and ethical research support, she brings efficiency and a commitment to organizational excellence to her role.
Coleen Andrea S. Samson
Admin Staff