by: Mark Albert Sundo | Amelogenin Efforts to establish a national DNA database in the Philippines trace their way back to 1998 or 26 years ago. Recognizing the scientific breakthrough of DNA evidence in investigations, the Supreme Court promulgated the Rule on DNA Evidence in 2007. This rule permitted DNA testing orders to be issued anytime to anyone suspected of committing crimes, with or without court order, as long it was as relevant to the case and provided that proper requirements were met. However, concerns were raised over the years about the lack of clear boundaries of DNA testing, specifically regarding the potential impact on rights such as protection against unreasonable searches and the right to privacy. In October 2022, forensic expert and scientist Dr. Maria Corazon De Ungria, head of the University of the Philippines (UP) DNA Analysis Laboratory, and geneticist Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-dela Paz from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), voiced their concerns regardi