Written by Ma. Corazon de Ungria, PhD
STAR SCIENCE, Philippine Star
The basic DNA properties of inheritability, chemical
stability, identity of biological samples originating from one person and the
uniqueness of the totality of an individual’s DNA profile make this chemical
the most effective tool for human identification. In the Philippines where
testimonies comprise the most common and at times, the only evidence presented
in court, the development of forensic DNA testing to assist in criminal
investigations and resolve civil disputes provides a novel tool to a justice system
that at times has been seen as slow, biased and inefficient. With the mandate
to pioneer the development of forensic DNA technology in the Philippines, the
DNA Analysis Laboratory of the Natural Sciences Research Institute (UP-NSRI
DAL) was established in May 1996. The contribution of rigorous academic
research, committed forensic scientists and supportive partners/collaborators
in laying the foundation for the technology in the country is evident in the
past 18 years of the laboratory’s existence (www.dnaforensic.org).
In addition to conducting basic research, the laboratory
has been actively involved in a number of landmark cases which now form part of
Philippine jurisprudence. In 2001, the Supreme Court gave judicial notice on
the capability of the UP-NSRI DAL to resolve parentage issues in the case of
Edgardo and Bienvenida Tijing vs Court of Appeals and Angelita Diamante (G.R.
No. 125901). In this case, two mothers were claiming to be the biological mother
of a child. Although the Supreme Court finally decided that Bienvenida Tijing
was the mother of the child based on evidence already presented, it also cited
the possibility of conducting DNA tests at the UP-NSRI DAL if Angelita Diamante
continued to pursue her claim. The decision reflected the evolving view of the
judiciary on the value and utility of DNA evidence in resolving disputed
parentage cases. In 2005, the Supreme Court, in its decision on the issue of
paternity in Rosendo Herrera vs Rosendo Alba (G.R. No. 148220), went a step
further by defining the minimum value of the Probability of Paternity needed
for the court to presume that the alleged father is the biological father of a
child. Once DNA test results establishing paternity are submitted to the court,
the burden of proof shifts from the child and his/her mother to the alleged
father to present evidence, such as his own medical records, to dispute the DNA
results. This is a significant change in the mindset of the family courts that
previously would take years to evaluate a woman’s paternity claim. Moreover,
this minimum Probability of Paternity value equal to 99.9 percent may only be
obtained if DNA testing is conducted, thus highlighting the effectiveness of
DNA testing over blood typing, a method used during the pre-DNA years.
* * *
This lecture was delivered at the Research Colloquium
held during the 30th anniversary of the Natural Sciences Research Institute,
University of the Philippines Diliman last March 25-27. The author is the
current head of the DNA Analysis Laboratory, one of the in-house research and
service laboratories of the NSRI (www.nsri.upd.edu.ph).
She has appeared as expert witness in cases involving disputed parentage issues
and in relation to criminal cases. She provided her technical assistance during
the formulation of the Rule on DNA Evidence and her opinion on different bills
regarding forensic DNA technology. The UP-NSRI DNA Laboratory continues to
offer its parentage testing and DNA profiling expertise as part of its
commitment to serve the community. The laboratory may be contacted at 632
925-2965, 639189136284 and updnalab@gmail.com.
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