President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an administrative order forming an inter-agency body to spearhead the establishment of a National Forensics Institute (NFI).
“The establishment of an NFI, which shall be backed by state-of-the-art research and laboratory services, is consistent with the government’s efforts to strengthen domestic accountability mechanisms through comprehensive justice reforms,” Mr. Marcos said in the order.
Administrative Order No. 29, signed on January 22 through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, directs the formation of a technical working group (TWG) tasked with conducting a comprehensive study and submitting recommendations for the establishment of the NFI.
“The TWG shall study and devise an efficient and collaborative mechanism to elevate the standards of forensics in the Philippines,” Marcos said.
The President highlighted the importance of the initiative, noting the Philippines committed to establishing the NFI during the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, in December 2023.
The TWG, co-led by the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Department of Justice (DOJ), will evaluate ways to streamline the functions of various government agencies and enhance the country’s forensic capabilities.
Other members include the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC), and the University of the Philippines Manila.
The DOJ will serve as the TWG’s Secretariat, providing administrative and technical support. Representatives appointed to the TWG must hold a rank no lower than assistant secretary or its equivalent, with full authority to act on behalf of their agencies.
The NFI, once established, is envisioned to feature advanced research and laboratory services while providing specialized training programs to strengthen forensic capabilities and enhance justice reforms nationwide.