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PBBM forms panel for creation of national forensics institute

January 25, 2025 People's Tonight 64 views

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued Administrative Order (AO) 29 creating a technical working group (TWG) for the establishment of a National Forensics Institute (NFI) to strengthen the country’s justice system and expertise in the field of forensics.

Under AO 29, inked by Marcos on Jan. 22, the TWG will conduct a comprehensive study and submit recommendations relative to the immediate establishment of the NFI, taking into consideration the need to rationalize and streamline the functions of relevant government agencies and strengthen the country’s capacity in forensics.

The TWG will be chaired by the Office of the Executive Secretary and co-chaired by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Members are the departments of the interior and local government, foreign affairs, health, and budget; the Commission on Higher Education; the Presidential Human Rights Committee; and the University of the Philippines – Manila.

The DOJ will also serve as the Secretariat of the TWG, providing administrative and technical support to the body.

“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, with the end in view of providing rigorous academic, specialization and capacity-building programs in the field of forensics,” the order read.

“The TWG shall study and devise an efficient and collaborative mechanism to elevate the standards of forensics in the Philippines.”

Within six months from the issuance of AO 29, the TWG is directed to prepare concrete short-, mid-, and long-term action points, as well as map out possible sources of financial and technical support, in relation to the NFI’s establishment.

The TWG is also mandated to review the functions of government agencies with mandates related to forensics; review pending bills related to the status and advancement of forensics; study and recommend forensic-related policies and programs; and coordinate with local and international bodies involved in the field of forensics.

It may also accept donations, contributions, grants, bequests, or gifts from domestic or foreign sources, for purposes relevant to its mandates and functions, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

“The TWG is hereby directed to submit to the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, a quarterly report detailing, among others, the TWG’s accomplishments, and status of the action points for the establishment of the NFI,” according to AO 29.

The initial funding requirements for AO 29’s implementation will be charged against available appropriations of TWG member agencies.

The funds needed for its continued implementation will be included in the budget proposals of the member agencies.

One of the Philippine government’s commitments during the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland in Dec. 2023 is the establishment of the NFI.
Philippine News Agency

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