An administration lawmaker on Friday proposed the establishment of a centralized DNA database system which will help solve crimes faster, locate missing persons, identify remains, and establish paternity and other family relationships.
In filing House Bill No. 7215, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the database would uphold the state’s policy to establish and maintain a fair, responsible, ethical and efficient criminal justice system.
“DNA is a powerful investigative tool because, except for identical twins, no two people have the same DNA,” said Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs.
The bill seeks to institutionalize the Philippine DNA Database System which shall serve as the central repository of DNA profiles in the country.
It shall contain the forensic DNA profiles of persons categorized under the following indices: crime scene suspected persons, convicted offenders, detainee, drug dependents, missing persons, voluntary persons, uniformed personnel, and government employees.
“We cannot undermine its importance especially in investigating criminal cases such as murder and rape, resolving disputed paternity, and identifying victims of calamities. DNA analysis has also become a common form of evidence in courts,” Barbers said.
Until now, there is no specific law for the management of forensic DNA, he added.
Most of the time, he said, an investigating officer faces a blank wall when collecting scientific evidence to prove an accused person guilty. This can be avoided with DNA profiling or DNA typing wherein a minute sample of genetic DNA material is taken from human tissue and given a digital numeric value or barcode.
Barbers said a Philippine DNA Database System Scientific Advisory Committee shall be established to develop quality assurance standards for DNA testing database. It shall be headed by a representative from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital.
The database shall only be accessed by the Philippine DNA Database Office which shall be composed of personnel from the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“Any other law enforcement agencies who may wish to access information in the database shall get prior clearance from the PDDO,” Barbers said in his bill.
Barbers said improper disclosure of DNA samples and records shall be punishable by imprisonment ranging from eight years and one day or a fine not lower than P500,000 or both, upon the discretion of the court.
