The House Committee on Public Order and Safety has approved the consolidation of two measures that seek the creation of a Philippine DNA database system.
Under House Bills (HB) 94 and 540 by Surigao Del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and Santa Rosa City Lone District Rep. Dan Fernandez, respectively, a Philippine National Forensic Database will be established.
Barbers’ measure seeks to include the DNA taken from crime scenes, from suspected persons, convicted persons, detainees, drug dependents, missing persons, voluntary persons, uniformed persons, and government employees within the database.
Fernandez’ version of the measure also seeks to include the DNA of street children and beggars, and that of unidentified human remains.
Both lawmakers cite crime prevention and solution as the primary reason behind the filing of their respective measures.
However, while Barbers’ measure wants the creation of a Philippine DNA Database Office, Fernandez would instead give managerial responsibility to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory.
Furthermore, the measures include provisions penalizing individuals who do not comply with the submission of DNA samples.
Fernandez, who chairs the Public Order and Safety panel, approved the formation of a Technical Working Group (TWG) to consolidate the two measures and its conflicting provisions.