The Philippine Journal of Pathology (PJP) is committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and accountable editorial process. The Journal provides clear mechanisms for authors, reviewers, and readers to raise appeals, complaints, or disputes related to editorial decisions, publication practices, or ethical concerns. All cases will be handled objectively, confidentially, and in accordance with established editorial and ethical standards.
Authors may appeal editorial decisions, including rejection of a manuscript, if they believe the decision resulted from a factual error, misunderstanding of the work, or a procedural irregularity in the review process. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief within five (5) working days following the decision and must clearly state the grounds for appeal.
Appeals will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief, who may consult Associate Editors, members of the Editorial Board, or independent reviewers not involved in the original decision. The appeal process does not guarantee reversal of the original decision, and the decision reached after appeal shall be final.
Complaints may be raised by authors, reviewers, readers, or other stakeholders regarding the Journal’s editorial processes, peer review conduct, author or reviewer behavior, conflicts of interest, or suspected ethical breaches. Complaints must be submitted in writing and should include sufficient detail and supporting information to allow proper evaluation.
PJP will acknowledge receipt of complaints and assess them promptly. Complaints will be handled confidentially and impartially, with due consideration given to all parties involved. Where appropriate, the Journal may initiate further investigation or take corrective action in line with its editorial and ethical policies.
Disputes may arise concerning authorship, contributor roles, data ownership, interpretation of ethical standards, or other matters related to submitted or published work. PJP encourages parties involved in disputes to seek resolution through direct communication where possible. When disputes cannot be resolved independently, the Journal may facilitate discussion but does not adjudicate ownership or legal matters.
In cases involving serious ethical concerns or institutional responsibilities, PJP may refer disputes to the relevant institutions, ethics committees, or authorities for investigation, while reserving the right to take interim editorial actions, including suspension of review, publication of an expression of concern, or retraction.
All appeals, complaints, and disputes will be managed with due process, fairness, and consistency. Editorial decisions will be based on the merits of the case and the Journal’s established policies. The identities of complainants and respondents will be protected to the extent possible.
PJP does not tolerate retaliation against any individual who raises concerns, submits appeals, or lodges complaints in good faith. All parties are expected to engage respectfully and professionally throughout the process.
PJP participated in the recently concluded APAME 2026 Convention 20-21 August 2026 at the UP Manila. Dr. Tandoc delivered a lecture on localizing international guidance on AI use in medical publishing and was inducted as Vice President of the Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors (PAMJE).
Educational mini-series for authors, reviewers, pathology residents, and researchers dedicated to improving scientific writing in pathology and laboratory medicine.
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