, . $0 
<Qc&<:. : . 
~ 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIJJPFINES ) 
." 
. _. 
r. 
" ; , . ' 3  
'.+ 
.$& 
.,I:\ , 31 I ' 
.* 
Third Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
5. No 3402 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIV Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution provides that science and technology are essential 
r - - m  - 
0 
r*-----J 
invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to science and technology education, training, 
and services. It shall support indigenous, apprapriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological 
capabilitie% and their application to the, country's pm'nductive. system. md national Me. In 
furtherance cf this pokyy, this meas3i-e see13 to estabiish r, Forensic Science institcte in the 
University of the Philippines, the first in the country. 
Science has been reaching out aggressively to the legal system t b ~ u g h  
a number of iwvative 
forensic applicatiixs iloii being introdnced in ik coiimr, s ~ c h  
as EXA testing.' Inasmuch as 
the responsibility of the courts is to provide the search for truth, when that process can be aided 
by forensic science that yields reliable results, the interests of the justice system and society are 
served.2 However, fwensic science is relatkely new in the country. F~~ensic 
l a b ~ ~ ~ t t ~ v  
caseloads ex~ceci he growiii oi' qualiiicd h m s i G  sL;it:niisis who art: adeyuakiy prcparcri io 
handle the analysis of evidence. 
It is in this light that this measure seeks to establish a Forensic Science Institute in the University 
of the Pniiippines. The university's impeccabie reputation of integrity and independence in its 
commitment to the truth and the highest standards of academic and professional excellence 
places it in a leadership role in this endeavor. It is hoped that the passage of this bill shall address 
the scarcity of forensic patlrologists in the corntry, prmmte research aid deveky11ait in 
forensic science, strengthen and improve the administration of justice by educating and training 
forensic scientists, forensic pathologists, law enforcement and legal and medical professionals. 
In view ofthe foregoing, immediate approval ofthis nieaswe is maniatly sought 
r I&Ona! &velq!ji.ejjt ajd ni-nops~, T!ie s'mte $&l ojije nrinrh to rese&> aj3ii.d &\rel~pe::t, 
\ 
Senator 
Information retrieved from: httu://www.up.edu.u~uufo~m.uhu?i=l25&archive=~es&vr=2006&~=11. 
Retrieved 
on 3 June 2009. 
' 
Information retrieved *om: hnp:Nasialaw.tilpod.comiarticles/dnavilches.html. Retrieved on 3 June 2009. 
1 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIJXPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
. 
AN 
_. 
ACT 
ESTABLISHING TEE FORENSIC SCENCE INSTITUTE IN THE UNIVERSrTY OF 
THE PHILIPPINES SYSTEM, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enuctcd in the Senute and House uf Aepresentutrves vf the Phrlipprrtes rrt Cortgrcss 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. ShQrC Tlcle. - This Act shall be known as the “Forenslc Sclence Insilnue 
.4CL ” 
SEC. 2. Creation and Objective of the Institute. - There is hereby created a Forensic 
Science Institute in the University of the Philippines System with the following objectives: 
(a) To promote research and development in the various fields of foremic science and advance 
the search for truth: 
(b) To enhance the competence and capabiiities of existing labumtories in the country and 
prepare them for accreditation; 
(c) To develop a corps of professionals and prepare them for a career in forensic science; and 
(d) To train and upgrade the technical, scientific and management skills of personnel presently 
involved in forensic science so as to improve the administration of justicc. 
SEC. 3. Delegation of Authoriw to the Board of Regents. - The Board of Regents of the 
University of the Philippines System is hereby authorized to establish the Forensic Science 
Institute under the direct smpervision of the Office of the President afthe University, which shall 
have a faculty and staff with expertise in the disciplines of biology, chemistry, law, medicine, 
1 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
% 
9 
19 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
2% 
29 
molecular biology, social sciences, statistics and other pertinent disciplines, who may be drawn 
within the Sjjsteni or outside. 
SEC. 4. Functions of tlze Institute. - The Forensic Science Institute will have the 
folloviiiig fii1ictioiis: 
(a) To provide competent scientific and advance medical and technical services for the detection 
and investigation of criiiies; 
(b) To maintain a network of modern laboratories for the development and adoption of analytical 
methods and procedures related to forensic evidence; 
(c) To offer degree and non-degree programs to students inclined towards the various areas of 
forensic science; 
(d) To undertake research in all fields of forensic science; and 
(e) To providc colitiliuilig education on niodem scientific methods and iiistruiiieneatioii and on 
validation of forensic evidence to technicians and personnel of existing laboratories, medical 
centers, and educational institutions. 
SEC. 5. Inpiaz99eefnllng Aatk&@. - The Board of Regents of the University of the 
Philippines System is hereby mandated to formulate implementing guidelines to carry out the 
provisions of this Act and to take appmpi5ate steps to ei~rrre that the atablisl~ment of the 
Forensic Science institute shall aiin at the speedy realization of the objectives and at the 
execution of the powers and fmictioiis stated above. Towar& this end, the Board shall determine 
the structure, composition, and size of the Institute's faculty and staff 
SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount of Three Hundred Million Pesos (P300,000,000) 
is hereby appropriated out of any funds in thc National Treasury not oilierwise appropriated to 
carry out the objectives and provisions of this Act froin'its effectivity until the next fiscal year. 
Thereafter, such sunis as may be necessary to carry- arrt the provisions of the Act shall be 
included in the subsequent annual General Appropriations Act under the University of the 
Philippines System. 
2 


SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason whatsoever, any provision of this Act is 
decixied uiicoiistitutioiiai, tiie saiiie &-& iiot &fe.t tiie va:&jj 
of tiie 
provisioiis iiot 
declared as such. 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules and regulations, or part thereof, inconsistent 
,.La.-..-. :-: -.-- 
PA,-'- 
I -..- 1 .^..^ 
1 
wini tilt7 piu\iisiuils UI iiiis ACL 
i l i ~  
IIGIGUY i~peaied, aiieiid or modified aWGrdiiigiy. 
0X.n 9 Ttt ^':..:I-. 
T ' 
IJllrL. . ~ J J E ~ ~ ' " ' c y .  
- IhlS Act sh& *&e effect fifteen (15) d q s  fG::vw;lig its pib:icZtiGii 
in at least two (2) newspapers O f  general circulation. 
Approved, 
3