SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2350 
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR 
AN ACT 
'14 
AUG 11 
P3 :57 
ESTABLISHING THE FORENSIC SCIENCE INSTITUTE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF THE 
PHILIPPINES SYSTEM, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 10, Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that: 
"Science aUld technology are essential for national development 
and progress. The State shall give priority to research and development, 
invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to science and technology 
education, training, and services. It shall support indigenous, appropriate, 
and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their 
application to the country's productive systems and national life." 
One important application of science and technology in the Philippines but that is not 
much recognized is its application in our criminal justice system, particularly in forensic 
science, which assists in the investigation and prosecution of crimes. However, present 
scientific and medical capabilities of our law enforcement agencies to evaluate and analyze 
physical evidence are lacking vis-a-vis the continuing rise in the country's crime rate. 
Thus, this Bill seeks to establish a Forensic Science Institute in the University of the 
Philippines system in order to provide competent, scientific and modern technical services, 
and advanced medical facilities for the detection and investig<;ltion of crimes. Known for its 
commitment in upholding academic truth and excellence, this will help immensely in crime 
solution and help address concerns on the objectivity of cases solved by the Philippine 
National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation. Although we do not question their 
integrity, being agencies involved in the prosecution of crimes, the fact that they also 
operate crime laboratories for examining and analyzing physical evidence that result to 
corroborating their findings in such prosecutions is often put into question in court 
proceedings. 
With this Bill, the University of the Philippines will be in unchallenged position of 
conducting professional work through modern scientific methods and instrumentation of 
forensic investigation. 
--' 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
L 
I'~ 
~;N~.VIL~ 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2350 
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR 
1 
AN ACT 
'14 
AUG 11 P 3 :57 
HECEI\'ED BY:-f ... 
2 
ESTABLISHING THE FORENSIC SCIENCE INSTITUTE IN THE UNIVERSITY 
3 
OF THE PHILIPPINES SYSTEM, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS 
4 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
5 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
6 
Congress assembled: 
7 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Forensic Science Institute 
8 
Act." 
9 
SECTION 2. Creation and Objective of the Institute. - There is hereby created a 
10 
Forensic Science Institute in the University of the Philippines System with the following 
11 
objectives: 
12 
a) To promote research and development in the various fields of 
13 
forensic science and advance the search for truth; 
14 
(b) To enhance the competence and capabilities of existing 
15 
laboratories in the country and prepare them for accreditation; 
16 
(c) To develop a corps of professionals and prepare them for a 
17 
career in forensic science; and 
18 
(d) To train and upgrade the technical, scientific, and management 
19 
skills of personnel presently involved in forensic science so as to improve 
20 
the administration of justice. 
21 
SECTION 3. Delegation of Authority to the Board of Regents. - The Board of 
22 
Regents of the University of the Philippines System is hereby authorized to establish the 
23 
Forensic Science Institute under the direct supervision of the Office of the President of 
24 
the University, which shall have a faculty and staff with expertise in the disciplines of 
25 
biology, chemistry, law, medicine, molecular biology, social sciences, statistics, and 
26 
other pertinent disciplines, who may be drawn within the system or outside. 
27 
SECTION 4. Functions of the institute. - The Forensic Science Institute will have 
28 
the following functions: 
29 
(a) To provide competent scientific and advance medical and 
30 
technical services for the detection and investigation of crimes; 
31 
(b) To maintain a network of modern laboratories for the 
32 
development and adoption of analytical methods and procedures related 
33 
to forensic evidence; 


, 
1 
(C) To offer degree and non-degree programs to students inclined 
2 
towards the various areas of forensic science; 
3 
(d) To undertake research in all fields of forensic science; and 
4 
(e) To provide continuing education on modem scientific methods 
5 
and instrumentation and on validation of forensic evidence to technicians 
6 
and personnel of existing laboratories, medical centers, and educational 
7 
institutions. 
8 
SECTION 5. Implementing Authority. - The Board of Regents of the University of 
9 
the Philippines System is hereby mandated to formulate implementing guidelines to 
10 
carry out the provisions of this Act and to take appropriate steps to ensure that the 
11 
establishment of the Forensic Science Institute shall aim at the speedy realization of the 
12 
objectives and at the execution of the powers and functions stated above. Towards this 
13 
end, the Board shall determine the structure, composition, and size of the Institute's 
14 
faculty and staff. 
15 
SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The amount of Three Hundred Million Pesos 
16 
(P300,OOO,OOO.OO) is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not 
17 
otherwise appropriated to carry out the objectives and provisions of this Act from its 
18 
effectivity until the next fiscal year. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary to carry 
19 
out the provisions of the Act shall be included in the subsequent annual General 
20 
Appropriations Act under the University of the Philippines System. 
21 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules and regulations, or part thereof, 
22 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amend or modified 
23 
accordingly. 
24 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
25 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
26 
Approved,