Press Release - Co-Sponsorship Speech of Senator Mark Villar on the PNP Forensic DNA Database Act

Mr. President and my esteemed colleagues, our honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon to all of you.

Mr. President, it is my honor to co-sponsor the PNP Forensic DNA Database Act that is sponsored by our esteemed colleague, the gentleman from Davao, Senator Bato Dela Rosa.

Mr. President, DNA analysis, particularly DNA fingerprinting, has been a revolutionary tool in forensic science since it was first used in 1986 for a rape-murder case of two girls. The first use of the test proved that the suspect did not commit the accused crimes. This proves the capacity of DNA analysis to shed light to the truth of crimes, especially since the following year saw the first conviction on the basis of DNA evidence. In 1987, Tommy Lee Andrews was convicted in a rape case wherein his DNA profile was matched with those found from the victim.

Since the first use of DNA analysis in forensic science to convict criminals, it has been of great help to our policemen in investigating crimes of similar or even greater magnitude.

The development of forensic DNA technology in the country has helped improve the Philippine criminal justice system. It has played a crucial role in identity testing in criminal cases to identify assailants. However, a 2021 study has concluded that while DNA testing of biological samples from sexual assault victims increases the possibility of generating conclusive results, the lack of an integrated system limits a more intensive evaluation of data.

Mr. President, this presents a concern to all of us, especially that rape cases, which the PNP claimed to have been the most persisting crimes recently, recorded 9,503 incidence in 2020 in which 7000 were committed against children. While there is a decrease of the cases reported in 2021 with 8,460 cases wherein 6000 are against children, these numbers are still high Mr. President. As such, we should complement the efforts of our uniformed personnel in combating these crimes which is why I appeal for your support for the PNP Forensic DNA Database Act.

The PNP Forensic DNA Database Act seeks to address the recurring problems in the administration of justice and law enforcement by providing