14”CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHEIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
9 
HAY -5 P6 37 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Forensics is a science dedicated to the methodical gathering and analysis of evidence to 
establish facts that can be presented in a legal proceeding. It is the application of a broad 
spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to the legal system. This may be in relation 
to a crime or to a civil action. (wikipedia.org) 
Obstacles to the wider use of forensic science in criminal investigations must be 
understood as obstacles to the protection of human rights, and taken up by governments and the 
public in these terms. Forensic science can verify through the DNA the innocence or probable 
guilt of an alleged law breaker, solve parentage disputes, and identify disaster victims. 
The shortage of forensic professionals in most parts of Asia, including the Philippines is a 
serious concern. Even in a country like Thailand, for instance, there are only five forensic 
pathologists. Nowhere are there enough qualified persons available to afford proper services to 
the public. As a consequence, many suspicious deaths are not properly investigated. Murders and 
extrajudicial killings may go undetected, or be deliberately concealed, in the absence of 
competent personnel. It follows that to increase the number of forensic experts is a key 
challenge. 
The proposed bill seeks to establish for the purpose of providing competent, scientific 
and modern technical services and advanced medical facilities for the detection and investigation 
of crimes. 
Immediate passage of this bill is highly needed 
J 


t ..% : 
14”’CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
FFICt Ut i r k  ;tC;Ri‘iktN 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
AY -5 P G  :07 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE FORENSIC SClENCE INSTITUTE IN THE UNIVERSITY 
OP THE PHILIPPINES SYSTEM, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Forensic Science Institute Act.” 
SECTION 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 forensic science and advance 
(b) To enhance the competence and capabilities of existing laboratories in the country and 
(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 
the search for truth; 
prepare them for accreditation; 
involved in forensic science so as to improve the administration ofjustice. 
SECTION 3. Delegation of Authority 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 supervision of the Office of the President of the 
University, which shall have a faculty and staff with expertise in the disciplines of biology, 
chemistry, law, medicine, molecular biology, social sciences, statistics and other pertinent 
disciplines, who may be drawn within the System or outside. 
SECTION 4. Functions of the Institute. - The Forensic Science Institute will have the 
following functions: 
(a) To provide competent scientific and advance medical and technical services for the 
detection and investigation of crimes; 
1 


(b) To maintain a network of modern laboratories for the development and adoption of analytical 
(c) To offer degree and non-degree programs to students inclined towards the various areas of 
(d) To undertake research in all fields of forensic science; and 
(e) To provide continuing education on modern scientific methods and instrumentation and on 
validation of forensic evidence to technicians and personnel of existing laboratories, medical 
centers, and educational institutions. 
methods and procedures related to forensic evidence; 
forensic science; 
SECTION 5. Implementing Authority. - 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 appropriate steps to ensure that the establishment of the 
Forensic Science institute shall aim at the speedy realization of the objectives and at the 
execution of the powers and functions stated above. Towards this end, the Board shall determine 
the structure, composition, and size of the Institute’s faculty and st&. 
SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The initial amount of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000) 
is hereby appropriated out of any hnds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to 
carry out the objectives and provisions of this Act from its effectivity until the next fiscal year. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act shall be 
included in the subsequent annual General Appropriations Act under the University of the 
Philippines System. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason whatsoever, any provision of this 
Act is declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions not 
declared as such. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive issuances, 
rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby expressly 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2