Lacson: Bigger R&D budget needed to improve forensic capabilities in Philippines

The Philippine government should invest more in research and development to improve the forensic capabilities and help build a better criminal justice system in the country, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Friday.

"Law enforcement and the entire criminal justice system must rely more on scientific evidence than testimonial and other easily assailable pieces of evidence," Lacson, a former Philippine National Police chief, said in a message to GMA News Online.

"That is one of many reasons why I have always consistently advocated and actually fought for a bigger budget for research and development across all the agencies of government," he added.

The senator lamented that the allocation for research and development, year in and year out, all the way up to the 2021 GAA, stands at a miserably low annual average of 0.4%.

"Sadly, being part of a collegial body like the Senate and the Congress of the Philippines, I represent only one vote. And unfortunately, most lawmakers have other priorities as far as the national budget is concerned," he said.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun has said that the forensic capabilities in the country must be strengthened.

There are still a lot of questions unanswered by the medico-legal report prepared by the police over the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera, according to her.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III agreed with Lacson that funding is the answer.

"The easiest way to upgrade and update our forensic capabilities is to give them enough funds," he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said he believes in the forensic capacity of the PNP but is also open in further improving it through crafting new laws.

"Ako'y naniniwala sa kakayahan ng ating PNP Crime Laboratory. They have undergone extensive trainings here and abroad," the former PNP chief said in a message to GMA News Online.

"I will have to consult them as to their handicaps in that particular area and I will see what subsequent legislations are needed to fill the gap," he added.

Dacera, a 23-year-old flight attendant, was found dead in a bathtub of a hotel in Makati on January 1. She had checked in to celebrate New Year’s Eve with her friends.

Dacera’s family believes she did not die of aortic aneurysm, contrary to the earlier medical report released and has since gone viral on social media. They believe she was drugged and sexually abused.

Her body, however, was embalmed before it was examined for medico-legal purposes.

On Wednesday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the NBI will conduct a second autopsy.—AOL, GMA News