cases under dna evidence

8/13/2019 Cases Under DNA Evidence

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SECOND DIVISION

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, G.R. No. 172607

Appellee , Present:

Q IS !"ING, J., Chairperson,

# $ers%s # &ARPIO, &ARPIO !ORALES,

TINGA, 'n( )ELAS&O, *R., JJ.

R FINO !ANITO , Appell'nt. Pro+%l 'te(:

O-to er 26, 2007

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R E S O L U T I O N

T INGA, J. :

On 'ppe'l s t e e- s on 314 o5 t e &o%rt o5 Appe'ls ('te( 1 Fe r%'r 2006,'55 r+ n t e *%( +ent 324 o5 t e Re on'l Tr 'l &o%rt 8RT&9 o5 "'%'n , L' n on,"r'n- 67 ('te( 1 O-to er 1 7 5 n( n R%5 no +'n to 8'ppell'nt9 % lt

e on( re'son' le (o% t o5 t e -r +e o5 r'pe, senten- n + to s%55er t e pen'lto5 reclusion perpetua 'n( or(er n + to n(e+n 5 t e pr $'te -o+pl' n'nt n t es%+ o5 P 0,000.00. 3;4

On *'n%'r 1 0, 'ppell'nt


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T 't on or ' o%t :00 P.!. o5 *%l 1 , 1 > , 't "r 3.4'r'+%'n 'n, !%n - p'l t o5 N' % l 'n, Pro$ n-e o5 L' n on,

P l pp nes 'n( < t n t e ?%r s( -t on o5 t s Honor' le &o%rt, t e' o$e#n'+e( '--%se( < o


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l'ter < en s e le'rne( t e n'+e o5 '--%se(#'ppell'nt !ANITO. S ere-o%nte( t 't '--%se(#'ppell'nt !ANITO 4

Appell'ntCs $ers on on t e st'n(


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pen'lt o5 reclusion perpetua 'n( to n(e+n 5 AAA n t e s%+ o5 P 0,000.00.3114 In so (o n , t e -o%rt a quo el( t 't t e ( s-rep'n- es n AAACs test +on ( (not +p' r er -re( l t . esp te so+e n-ons sten- es n er st'te+ent, t e RT&o ser$e( t 't AAACs (e+e'nor on t e < tness st'n( ( ( not n( -'te 'n 5'lse oo(

n er n'rr't on. 3124

T e tr 'l -o%rt l @e< se re?e-te( 'ppell'ntCs (e5ense o5 'l , r%l n t 't e

( ( not pro$e t 't t


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AAACs p%rporte(l n-ons stent st'te+ents on < et er t


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< ere olo -'l e$ (en-e s '$' l' le. For p%rposes o5 -r + n'l n$est 't on,NA (ent 5 -'t on s ' 5ert le so%r-e o5 ot n-%lp'tor 'n( e/-%lp'tor

e$ (en-e. It -'n ' ( ++ensel n (eter+ n n ' +ore '--%r'te '--o%nt o5 t e-r +e -o++ tte(, e55 - entl 5'- l t't n t e -on$ -t on o5 t e % lt , se-%r n t e'-D% tt'l o5 t e nno-ent, 'n( ens%r n t e proper '(+ n str't on o5 ?%st -e n e$er-'se. 32=4 )er l , 's


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T e le'( n -'se o5 Herrera v. Alba ,32 4 < ere t e $'l ( t o5 ' NA test 's ' pro 't $e tool to (eter+ ne 5 l 't on n o%r ?%r s( -t on


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E$er gene 's ' -ert' n n%+ er o5 t e ' o$e 'se p' rs ( str %te( n ' p'rt -%l'r seD%en-e. T s $es ' person s or er enet - -o(e. So+e< ere n t e NA5r'+e


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As e'rl er st'te(, -ert' n re ons o5 %+'n NAs o< $'r 't ons et


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H' e's &orp%s 5or Re n'l(o (e ) ll'. In 't'r, ' +'t- e/ ste( et


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person < o 's ' le 'l nterest n t e +'tter n l t 't on, or(er ' NAtest n . S%- or(er s 'll ss%e '5ter (%e e'r n 'n( not -e to t e p'rt es%pon ' s o< n o5 t e 5ollo< n :

8'9 A olo -'l s'+ple e/ sts t 't s rele$'nt to t e -'se 8 9 T e olo -'l s'+ple: 8 9


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e$ (en-e. T e RT&, n e$'l%'t n t e NA res%lts %pon present't on, s 'll 'ssesst e s'+e 's e$ (en-e n @eep n < t Se-t ons 7 'n( > o5 t e R%les, to < t:

SE&. 7. Assess ent of probative value of + A evi%ence . In

'ssess n t e pro 't $e $'l%e o5 t e NA e$ (en-e presente(, t e -o%rts 'll -ons (er t e 5ollo< n :

8'9 T e - ' n o5 -%sto( , n-l%( n o< t e olo -'l s'+ples. !eliability of + A testing etho%ology . In e$'l%'t n< et er t e NA test n +et o(olo s rel ' le, t e -o%rt s 'll-ons (er t e 5ollo< n :

8'9 T e 5'ls 5 ' l t o5 t e pr n- ples or +et o(s %se(, t 't s,< et er t e t eor or te- n D%e -'n e 'n( 's een teste(

8 9 T e s% ?e-t on to peer re$ e< 'n( p% l -'t on o5 t e pr n- ples or +et o(s


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8-9 T e ener'l '--ept'n-e o5 t e pr n- ples or +et o(s t erele$'nt s- ent 5 - -o++%n t

8(9 T e e/ sten-e 'n( +' nten'n-e o5 st'n('r(s 'n( -ontrols toens%re t e -orre-tness o5 ('t' 't ere(

8e9 T e e/ sten-e o5 'n 'ppropr 'te re5eren-e pop%l't on('t' 'se 'n(

859 T e ener'l (e ree o5 -on5 (en-e 'ttr %te( to +'t e+'t -'l-'l-%l't ons %se( n -o+p'r n NA pro5 les 'n( t e s n 5 -'n-e 'n(l + t't on o5 st't st -'l -'l-%l't ons %se( n -o+p'r n NA pro5 les.

T e tr 'l -o%rt s 5%rt er en?o ne( to o ser$e t e reD% re+ents o5-on5 (ent 'l t 'n( preser$'t on o5 t e NA e$ (en-e n '--or('n-e < t Se-t ons11 3;74 'n( 12 3;>4 o5 t e R%les.

In 'ssess n t e pro 't $e $'l%e o5 NA e$ (en-e, t e RT& s 'll -ons (er,'+on ot er t n s, t e 5ollo< n ('t': o< t e s'+ples


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In l t o5 t e 5'-t t 't t s -'se -onst t%tes t e 5 rst @no


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[G.R. No. 162571. June 15, 2005]

ARNEL L. AGUSTIN, petitioner , vs . HON. COURT OF APPEALS AN

!INOR !ARTIN JOSE PROLLA!ANTE, REPRESENTE "# HIS!OTHER$GUAR IAN FE ANGELA PROLLA!ANTE, respondents .

E C I S I O NCORONA, J .%

At issue in this petition for certiorari [1] is whether or not the Court of Appeals (CA)ra!el" erre# in e$er%isin its #is%retion& a'ountin to la% or e$%ess of uris#i%tion& in

issuin a #e%ision [*]an# resolution [+] uphol#in the resolution an# or#er of the trial %ourt&[,] whi%h #enie# petitioner-s 'otion to #is'iss pri!ate respon#ents- %o'plaint for supportan# #ire%te# the parties to su.'it the'sel!es to #eo$"ri.onu%lei% a%i# (DNA) paternit"testin /

Respon#ents 0e An ela an# her son artin 2rolla'ante sue# artin-s alle e#.iolo i%al father& petitioner Arnel 3/ A ustin& for support an# support pendentelite .efore the Re ional Trial Court (RTC) of 4ue5on Cit"& 6ran%h 178/ [9]

In their %o'plaint& respon#ents alle e# that Arnel %ourte# 0e in 1::*& after whi%hthe" entere# into an inti'ate relationship/ Arnel suppose#l" i'pre nate# 0e on her+, th .irth#a" on No!e'.er 17& 1:::/ Despite Arnel-s insisten%e on a.ortion& 0e #e%i#e#otherwise an# a!e .irth to their %hil# out of we#lo% & artin& on Au ust 11& *777 at theCapitol e#i%al Hospital in 4ue5on Cit"/ The .a."-s .irth %ertifi%ate was purporte#l"si ne# ." Arnel as the father/ Arnel shoul#ere# the pre;natal an# hospital e$penses .utlater refuse# 0e-s repeate# re


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losin his wife an# %hil#ren& Arnel ter'inate# the affair althou h he still treate# her as afrien# su%h as ." referrin potential %usto'ers to the %ar air%on repair shop [E] where shewor e#/ 3ater on& Arnel foun# out that 0e ha# another erstwhile se%ret lo!er/ In a"*777& Arnel an# his entire fa'il" went to the nite# States for a !a%ation/ pon theirreturn in =une *777& Arnel learne# that 0e was tellin people that he ha# i'pre nate#

her/ Arnel refuse# to a% nowle# e the %hil# as his .e%ause their @last inti'a%" wasso'eti'e in 1::?/ [?] F$asperate#& 0e starte# %allin Arnel-s wife an# fa'il"/ On =anuar"1:& *771& 0e followe# Arnel to the Capitol Hills >olf an# Countr" Clu. par in lot to#e'an# that he a% nowle# e artin as his %hil#/ A%%or#in to Arnel& he %oul# not etthrou h 0e an# the #is%ussion .e%a'e so heate# that he ha# no @alternati!e .ut to'o!e on .ut without .u'pin or hittin an" part of her .o#"/ [:] 0inall"& Arnel %lai'e#that the si nature an# the %o''unit" ta$ %ertifi%ate (CTC) attri.ute# to hi' in thea% nowle# 'ent of artin-s .irth %ertifi%ate were falsifie#/ The CTC erroneousl"refle%te# his 'arital status as sin le when he was a%tuall" 'arrie# an# that his .irth"ear was 1:89 when it shoul# ha!e .een 1:8,/ [17]

In his pre;trial .rief file# on a" 1E& *77*& Arnel !ehe'entl" #enie# ha!in sire#artin .ut e$presse# willin ness to %onsi#er an" proposal to settle the %ase/ [11]

On =ul" *+& *77*& 0e an# artin 'o!e# for the issuan%e of an or#er #ire%tin all theparties to su.'it the'sel!es to DNA paternit" testin pursuant to Rule *? of the Rulesof Court/ [1*]

Arnel oppose# sai# 'otion ." in!o in his %onstitutional ri ht a ainst self;in%ri'ination/ [1+] He also 'o!e# to #is'iss the %o'plaint for la% of %ause of a%tion&%onsi#erin that his si nature on the .irth %ertifi%ate was a for er" an# that& un#er thelaw& an ille iti'ate %hil# is not entitle# to support if not re%o ni5e# ." the putati!e father/[1,] In his 'otion& Arnel 'anifeste# that he ha# file# %ri'inal %har es for falsifi%ation of#o%u'ents a ainst 0e (I/S/ Nos/ 7*;9E*+ an# 7*;E1:*) an# a petition for %an%ellationof his na'e appearin in artin-s .irth %ertifi%ate (#o% ete# as Ci!il Case No/ 4;7*;,888:)/ He atta%he# the %ertifi%ation of the 2hilippine National 2oli%e Cri'e 3a.orator"that his si nature in the .irth %ertifi%ate was for e#/

The trial %ourt #enie# the 'otion to #is'iss the %o'plaint an# or#ere# the parties tosu.'it the'sel!es to DNA paternit" testin at the e$pense of the appli%ants/ The Courtof Appeals affir'e# the trial %ourt/

Thus& this petition/

In a nutshell& petitioner raises two issuesG (1) whether a %o'plaint for support %an.e %on!erte# to a petition for re%o nition an# (*) whether DNA paternit" testin %an .e

or#ere# in a pro%ee#in for support without !iolatin petitioner-s %onstitutional ri ht topri!a%" an# ri ht a ainst self;in%ri'ination/ [19]

The petition is without 'erit/

0irst of all& the trial %ourt properl" #enie# the petitioner-s 'otion to #is'iss .e%ausethe pri!ate respon#ents- %o'plaint on its fa%e showe# that the" ha# a %ause of a%tiona ainst the petitioner/ The ele'ents of a %ause of a%tion areG (1) the plaintiff-s pri'ar"ri ht an# the #efen#ant-s %orrespon#in pri'ar" #ut"& an# (*) the #eli%t or wron ful a%t
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn12http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn13http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn15http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn12http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn13http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2005/jun2005/162571.htm#_ftn15


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or o'ission of the #efen#ant& ." whi%h the pri'ar" ri ht an# #ut" ha!e .een !iolate#/The %ause of a%tion is #eter'ine# not ." the pra"er of the %o'plaint .ut ." the fa%tsalle e#/ [18]

In the %o'plaint& pri!ate respon#ents alle e# that 0e ha# a'orous relations with thepetitioner& as a result of whi%h she a!e .irth to artin out of we#lo% / In his answer&petitioner a#'itte# that he ha# se$ual relations with 0e .ut #enie# that he fathere#

artin& %lai'in that he ha# en#e# the relationship lon .efore the %hil#-s %on%eptionan# .irth/ It is un#ispute# an# e!en a#'itte# ." the parties that there e$iste# a se$ualrelationship .etween Arnel an# 0e/ The onl" re'ainin


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Appl n t e 5ore o n pr n- ples to t e -'se 't 'r, 'lt o% pet t oner -onten(s t 'tt e -o+pl' nt 5 le( ere n pr $'te respon(ent +erel 'lle es t 't t e + nor & '(&% % 'n s 'n lle t +'te - l( o5 t e (e-e'se( 'n( s '-t%'ll ' -l' + 5or

n er t'n-e, 5ro+ t e 'lle 't ons t ere n t e s'+e +' e -ons (ere( 's one to -o+pelre-o n t on. F%rt er,!"a! !"e !'o cau%e% o$ ac!ion one !o co &el reco ni!ion and!"e o!"er !o clai in"eri!ance ay be *oined in one co &lain! i% no! ne' in our

*uri%&rudence .

As e'rl 's 31 224


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On the se%on# issue& petitioner posits that DNA is not re%o ni5e# ." this Court as a%on%lusi!e 'eans of pro!in paternit"/ He also %onten#s that %o'pulsor" testin!iolates his ri ht to pri!a%" an# ri ht a ainst self;in%ri'ination as uarantee# un#er the1:?E Constitution/ These %ontentions ha!e no 'erit/

>i!en that this is the !er" first ti'e that the a#'issi.ilit" of DNA testin as a 'eansfor #eter'inin paternit" has a%tuall" .een the fo%al issue in a %ontro!ers"& a .riefhistori%al s et%h of our past #e%isions featurin or 'entionin DNA testin is %alle# for/

In the 1::9 %ase of People v. Teehankee [*1] where the appellant was %on!i%te# of'ur#er on the testi'on" of three e"ewitnesses& we state# as an obiter dictum that@while e"ewitness i#entifi%ation is si nifi%ant& it is not as a%%urate an# authoritati!e asthe s%ientifi% for's of i#entifi%ation e!i#en%e su%h as the fin erprint or the DNA testresult (e'phasis supplie#)/

Our faith in DNA testin & howe!er& was not


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A "ear later& in People v. "anson , [*9] we a%


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se+en 5o%n( n t e $ -t + 'n( t e loo( s'+ple $en t e 'ppell'nt n open -o%rt(%r n t e -o%rse o5 t e tr 'l.

A(+ tte(l ,


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for annul'ent file# ." her hus.an#& to !erif" his %lai' that she was i'potent& her orifi%e.ein too s'all for his penis/ So'e of these pro%e#ures were& to .e sure& ratherin!asi!e an# in!oluntar"& .ut all of the' were %onstitutionall" soun#/ DNA testin an# itsresults& per our rulin in &atar &[+9] are now si'ilarl" a%%epta.le/

Nor #oes petitioner-s in!o%ation of his ri ht to pri!a%" persua#e us/ In #ple v.Torres &[+8] where we stru% #own the propose# national %o'puteri5e# i#entifi%ations"ste' e'.o#ie# in A#'inistrati!e Or#er No/ +7?& we sai#G

0n no uncertain ter s, (e also un%erscore that the right to privacy %oes not bar allincursions into in%ivi%ual privacy. The right is not inten%e% to stifle scientific an%technological a%vance ents that enhance public service an% the co on goo%. ..Intr%s ons nto t e r t +%st e '--o+p'n e( proper s'5e %'r(s t 't en 'n-e

p% l - ser$ -e 'n( t e -o++on oo(.

Histori%all"& it has 'ostl" .een in the areas of le alit" of sear%hes an# sei5ures&[+E]

an# the infrin e'ent of pri!a%" of %o''uni%ation[+?]

where the %onstitutional ri ht topri!a%" has .een %riti%all" at issue/ 2etitioner-s %ase in!ol!es neither an#& as alrea#"state#& his ar u'ent that his ri ht a ainst self;in%ri'ination is in eopar#" hol#s nowater/ His hollow in!o%ation of his %onstitutional ri hts eli%its no s"'path" here for thesi'ple reason that the" are not in an" wa" .ein !iolate#/ If& in a %ri'inal %ase& ana%%use# whose !er" life is at sta e %an .e %o'pelle# to su.'it to DNA testin & we seeno reason wh"& in this %i!il %ase& petitioner herein who #oes not fa%e su%h #ire%onse


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No 5%rt er ?%( - 'l or '(+ n str't $e pro-ee( n s 're reD% re( to r't 5 'n%n- 'llen e( '-@no


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M ;2. Genet - +'r@er 'n( NA tests '(+ ss l t o5 re-or(s or reports o5 testres%lts -osts o5 tests.

'9 T e -o%rt s 'll '($ se t e p'rt es o5 t e r r t to one or +ore enet - +'r@er testsor NA tests 'n(, on t e -o%rtCs o


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In *.%. v. C.%.)., [,+] a #e%ision of the ississippi Supre'e Court& DNA tests wereuse# to pro!e that H/ /& pre!iousl" thou ht to .e an offsprin of the 'arria e .etween

A/C/ / an# C/F/ /& was a%tuall" the %hil# of R/F/ with who' C/F/ / ha#& at the ti'e of%on%eption& 'aintaine# an a#ulterous relationship/

In %rie County Department of +ocial +ervices on behalf of Tiffany $. . v. -reg -. &[,,] the , th Depart'ent of the New or Supre'e Court-s Appellate Di!ision allowe# >/>/&who ha# .een a# u#i%ate# as T/ /H/-s father ." #efault& to ha!e the sai# u# 'ent!a%ate#& e!en after si$ "ears& on%e he ha# shown throu h a eneti% 'ar er test that hewas not the %hil#-s father/ In this %ase& >/>/ onl" re


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pro5 l n D%'l 5 -'t ons o5 person -on(%-t n t p n or (ent 5 -'t on pro5 l n-o+pens't on o5 e/pert res%lt o5 t p n or (ent 5 -'t on pro5 l n 5 l n s%++'rreport o ?e-t on '(+ ss l t pres%+pt on %r(en o5 proo5 s%++'r ( spos t on.

Se-. 6.

819In a &roceedin under !"i% ac! be$ore !rial !"e cour! u&on a&&lica!ion adeby or on be"al$ o$ ei!"er &ar!y or on i!% o'n o!ion %"all order !"a! !"e o!"erc"ild and alle ed $a!"er %ub i! !o blood or !i%%ue !y&in de!er ina!ion% '"ic"

ay include bu! are no! li i!ed !o de!er ina!ion% o$ red cell an!i en% red celli%oen.y e% "u an leu,ocy!e an!i en% %eru &ro!ein% or DNA iden!i$ica!ion&ro$ilin !o de!er ine '"e!"er !"e alle ed $a!"er i% li,ely !o be or i% no! !"e$a!"er o$ !"e c"ild/ I$ !"e cour! order% a blood or !i%%ue !y&inor DNA iden!i$ica!ion &ro$ilin !o be conduc!ed and a &ar!y re$u%e% !o %ub i! !o!"e !y&in or DNA iden!i$ica!ion &ro$ilin in addi!ion !o any o!"er re edie%a#ailable !"e cour! ay do ei!"er o$ !"e $ollo'in :

(a) En!er a de$aul! *ud en! a! !"e re+ue%! o$ !"e a&&ro&ria!e &ar!y/

(b) I$ a !rial i% "eld allo' !"e di%clo%ure o$ !"e $ac! o$ !"e re$u%al unle%% oodcau%e i% %"o'n $or no! di%clo%in !"e $ac! o$ re$u%al/

829 A loo( or t ss%e t p n or NA (ent 5 -'t on pro5 l n s 'll e -on(%-te( ' person '--re( te( 5or p'tern t (eter+ n't ons ' n't on'll re-o n e( s- ent 5 -or 'n 't on, n-l%( n , %t not l + te( to, t e A+er -'n 'sso- 't on o5 loo( 'n@s.

/// /// ///

8 9I$ !"e &robabili!y o$ &a!erni!y de!er ined by !"e +uali$ied &er%on de%cribed in%ub%ec!ion (0) conduc!in !"e blood or !i%%ue !y&in or DNA iden!i$ica!ion&ro$ilin i% 112 or "i "er and !"e DNAiden!i$ica!ion &ro$ile and %u aryre&or! are ad i%%ible a% &ro#ided in %ub%ec!ion (3) &a!erni!y i% &re%u ed/ I$ !"ere%ul!% o$ !"e analy%i% o$ ene!ic !e%!in a!erial $ro 0 or ore &er%on% indica!ea &robabili!y o$ &a!erni!y rea!er !"an 112 !"e con!rac!in labora!ory %"allconduc! addi!ional ene!ic &a!erni!y !e%!in un!il all bu! 4 o$ !"e &u!a!i#e $a!"er%i% eli ina!ed unle%% !"e di%&u!e in#ol#e% 0 or ore &u!a!i#e $a!"er% '"o "a#eiden!ical DNA/

869 pon t e est' l s +ent o5 t e pres%+pt on o5 p'tern t 's pro$ (e( n s% se-t on8 9, e t er p'rt +' +o$e 5or s%++'r ( spos t on %n(er t e -o%rt r%les. t s se-t on(oes not ' ro 'te t e r t o5 e t er p'rt to - l( s%pport 5ro+ t e ('te o5 rt o5 t e- l( 5 'ppl -' le %n(er se-t on 7. 8e+p 's s s%ppl e(9


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Gr'$e ' %se o5 ( s-ret on +pl es s%- -'pr - o%s 'n( < +s -'l e/erse o5 ?%( +ent's s eD% $'lent to l'-@ o5 ?%r s( -t on or, n ot er


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*HEREFORE & in !iew of the fore oin & the petition is here." DFNIFD/ The Courtof Appeals- #e%ision #ate# =anuar" *?& *77, in CA;>/R/ S2 No/ ?7:81 is here."

A00IR FD in toto.

Costs a ainst petitioner/

SO OR ERE .Panganiban, 1Chairman2, +andoval3-utierre', Carpio3$orales, an# -arcia,

""., %on%ur .

5ESSE U/ LUCASPet t oner,

# $ers%s #

5ESUS S/ LUCAS Respon(ent.

G/R/ No/ 416746 Present: &ARPIO, J.,

Chairperson, NA&H RA,PERALTA,A"A , 'n(!EN O A, JJ. Pro+%l 'te(:

*%ne 6, 2011

/##############################################################################

DECISION

NAC8URA J /9

Is ' pri a facie s o< n ne-ess'r e5ore ' -o%rt -'n ss%e ' NA test nor(erK In t s pet t on 5or re$ e< on certiorari,


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T e 'nte-e(ents o5 t e -'se 're, 's 5ollo


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'n one < o 's 'n o ?e-t on to t e pet t on to 5 le s oppos t on. T e -o%rt 'lso( re-te( t 't t e Or(er e p% l s e( on-e '


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l @e loo( ro%p test 'n( NA test res%lts. T e -o%rt o ser$e( t 't t e pet t on ( (not s o< t 't t ese pro-e(%r'l 'spe-ts , < - t e RT& resol$e( n s 5'$or. T %s, on O-to er 20, 200>, t

ss%e( t e Or(er 3 4 sett n 's (e t e -o%rtCs pre$ o%s or(er, t %s:

BHEREFORE, n $ e< o5 t e 5ore o n , t e Or(er ('te( *%l ;0,

200> s ere re-ons (ere( 'n( set 's (e. Let t e Pet t on 8< t !ot on 5or t e S% + ss on o5 P'rt es to

NA Test n 9 e set 5or e'r n on 5anuary 00 0661 a! :9;6 in !"eornin .

/ / / / SO OR ERE . 3104

T s t +e, t e RT& el( t 't t e r%l n on t e ro%n(s rel e( %pon pet t oner 5or 5 l n t e pet t on s pre+'t%re -ons (er n t 't ' 5%ll# lo


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s% st'n-e. It o5 t e R%leso5 &o%rt. T e -o%rt re+'r@e( t 't t e 'lle 't on t 't t e st'te+ents n t e pet t on 'n( 5or s+ ss'l o5 Pet t on,3124

re ter't n t 't 8'9 t e pet t on 'n( *'n%'r 1 , 200 . On Septe+ er 2 , 200 , t e &A (e- (e( t e pet t on 5or certiorari n 5'$or

o5 respon(ent, t %s: BHEREFORE, t e nst'nt pet t on 5or -ert or'r s ere

GRANTE 5or e n +er tor o%s. T e 'ss' le( Or(ers ('te( O-to er20, 200> 'n( *'n%'r 1 , 200 ot ss%e( t e Re on'l Tr 'l &o%rt,

"r'n- 172 o5 )'len %el' & t n SP. Pro-ee( n &'se No. ;0#)#07 'reRE)ERSE 'n( SET ASI E. A--or( n l , t e -'se (o-@ete( 's SP.Pro-ee( n &'se No. ;0#)#07 s IS!ISSE . 31=4

T e &A el( t 't t e RT& ( ( not '-D% re ?%r s( -t on o$er t e person o5

respon(ent, 's no s%++ons '( een ser$e( on +. Respon(entCs spe- 'l
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'ppe'r'n-e -o%l( not e -ons (ere( 's $ol%nt'r 'ppe'r'n-e e-'%se t


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Pet t oner +o$e( 5or re-ons (er't on. On e-e+ er 17, 200 , t e &A (en e(

t e +ot on 5or l'-@ o5 +er t. 3164

In t s pet t on 5or re$ e< oncertiorari , pet t oner r' ses t e 5ollo< nss%es:

I.BHETHER OR NOT THE &O RT OF APPEALS ERRE BHEN ITRESOL)E THE ISS E OF LA& OF * RIS I&TION O)ER THEPERSON OF HEREIN RESPON ENT AL"EIT THE SA!E BAS

NE)ER RAISE IN THE PETITION FOR &ERTIORARI.

I.ABHETHER OR NOT THE &O RT OF APPEALS

ERRE BHEN IT R LE THAT * RIS I&TION BAS NOT A&Q IRE O)ER THE PERSON OF THERESPON ENT.

I."BHETHER OR NOT THE &O RT OF APPEALSERRE BHEN IT FAILE TO REALI E THAT THERESPON ENT HA ALREA S "!ITTE)OL NTARIL TO THE * RIS I&TION OF THE&O RT A 23- .

I.&

BHETHER OR NOT THE &O RT OF APPEALSERRE BHEN IT ESSENTIALL R LE THAT THETITLE OF A PLEA ING, RATHER THAN ITS "O ,IS &ONTROLLING.

II.BHETHER OR NOT THE &O RT OF APPEALS ERRE BHEN ITOR ERE THE IS!ISSAL OF THE PETITION " REASON OFTHE !OTION 8FILE " THE PETITIONER "EFORE THE&O RT A 23- 9 FOR THE &ON &T OF NA TESTING.

II.ABHETHER OR NOT THE &O RT OF APPEALSERRE BHEN IT ESSENTIALL R LE THAT NATESTING &AN ONL "E OR ERE AFTER THE
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PETITIONER ESTA"LISHES PRI!A FA&IE PROOFOF FILIATION.

III.

BHETHER OR NOT THE &O RT OF APPEALS ERRE BITH ITS!ISPLA&E RELIAN&E ON THE &ASE OF HERRERA)S. AL"A, ESPE&IALL AS REGAR S THE FO R SIGNIFI&ANTPRO&E RAL ASPE&TS OF A TRA ITIONAL PATERNITA&TION.C3174

Pet t oner -onten(s t 't respon(ent ne$er r' se( 's ss%e n s pet t on

5or certiorari t e -o%rtCs l'-@ o5 ?%r s( -t on o$er s person. Hen-e, t e &A '( nole 'l 's s to ( s-%ss t e s'+e, e-'%se ss%es not r' se( 're (ee+e(


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erroneo%sl rel e( on t e 5o%r s n 5 -'nt pro-e(%r'l 'spe-ts o5 ' p'tern t -'se, 'sen%n- 'te( n Herrera v. Alba .31 4 Pet t oner '$ers t 't t ese pro-e(%r'l 'spe-ts 'renot 'ppl -' le 't t s po nt o5 t e pro-ee( n s e-'%se t e 're +'tters o5 e$ (en-et 't s o%l( e t'@en %p (%r n t e tr 'l. 3204

In s &o++ent, respon(ent s%pports t e &ACs r%l n on +ost ss%es r' se(

n t e pet t on 5orcertiorari 'n( +erel re ter'tes s pre$ o%s 'r %+ents.Ho


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n t e 5or+ 'n( s% st'n-e o5 t e pet t on to est' l s lle t +'te 5 l 't on, < - seD% $'lent to 5' l%re to st'te ' -'%se o5 '-t on.

Be nee( not el' or t e ss%es on < et er l'-@ o5 ?%r s( -t on


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In 'n '-t on in persona , ?%r s( -t on o$er t e person o5 t e (e5en('nt sne-ess'r 5or t e -o%rt to $'l (l tr 'n( (e- (e t e -'se. In ' pro-ee( n inre or quasi in re , ?%r s( -t on o$er t e person o5 t e (e5en('nt s not '

prereD% s te to -on5er ?%r s( -t on on t e -o%rt, pro$ (e( t 't t e l'tter 's ?%r s( -t on o$er t eres. *%r s( -t on o$er t eres s '-D% re( e t er 8'9 t ese %re o5 t e propert %n(er le 'l pro-ess, < ere t s ro% t nto '-t%'l-%sto( o5 t e l'


40/113

l'tter 'n opport%n t to -ontest t. 3274 In t s pet t on -l'ss 5 e( 's 'n '-t on in re t e not -e reD% re+ent 5or 'n '($ers'r 'l pro-ee( n


41/113

T e pet t on s%55 - entl st'tes t e %lt +'te 5'-ts rel e( %pon pet t oner toest' l s s 5 l 't on to respon(ent. Respon(ent, o


42/113

et, een presente( pet t oner. !ore essent 'll , t s pre+'t%re to ( s-%ss< et er, %n(er t e - r-%+st'n-es, ' NA test n or(er s


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8 9 T e olo -'l s'+ple: 8 9


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+%st e +'(e e5ore ' -o%rt -'n -onst t%t on'll or(er -o+p%lsor loo(test n n p'tern t -'ses. Be ' ree, 'n( 5 n( t 't, 's ' prel + n'r+'tter, e5ore t e -o%rt +' ss%e 'n or(er 5or -o+p%lsor loo( test n ,t e +o$ n p'rt +%st s o< t 't t ere s ' re'son' le poss l t o5

p'tern t . As e/pl' ne( ere'5ter, n -'ses n < - p'tern t s -onteste('n( ' p'rt to t e '-t on re5%ses to $ol%nt'r l %n(er o ' loo( test, 's o< -'%se e'r n +%st e el( n < - t e -o%rt -'n (eter+ ne< et er t ere s s%55 - ent e$ (en-e to est' l s ' pri a facie -'se < -


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Not< t st'n( n t ese, t s o%l( e stresse( t 't t e ss%'n-e o5 ' NAtest n or(er re+' ns ( s-ret on'r %pon t e -o%rt. T e -o%rt +' , 5or e/'+ple,-ons (er < et er t ere s ' sol%te ne-ess t 5or t e NA test n . I5 t ere s 'lre'(

prepon(er'n-e o5 e$ (en-e to est' l s p'tern t 'n( t e NA test res%lt


46/113

This is a petition for re!iew [1] to set asi#e the De%ision [*] #ate# *: No!e'.er *777 ofthe Court of Appeals (@appellate %ourt ) in CA;>/R/ S2 No/ 9:E88/ The appellate %ourtaffir'e# two Or#ers [+] issue# ." 6ran%h ,? of the Re ional Trial Court of anila (@trial%ourt ) in S2 No/ :?;??E9:/ The Or#er #ate# + 0e.ruar" *777 #ire%te# Rosen#oHerrera (@petitioner ) to su.'it to #eo$"ri.onu%lei% a%i# (@DNA ) paternit" testin & while

the Or#er #ate# ? =une *777 #enie# petitioner-s 'otion for re%onsi#eration/

T4e F 8 /

On 1, a" 1::?& then thirteen;"ear;ol# Rosen#o Al.a (@respon#ent )& represente#." his 'other Ar'i Al.a& file# .efore the trial %ourt a petition for %o'pulsor" re%o nition&support an# #a'a es a ainst petitioner/ On E Au ust 1::?& petitioner file# his answerwith %ounter%lai' where he #enie# that he is the .iolo i%al father of respon#ent/2etitioner also #enie# ph"si%al %onta%t with respon#ent-s 'other/

Respon#ent file# a 'otion to #ire%t the ta in of DNA paternit" testin to a..re!iatethe pro%ee#in s/ To support the 'otion& respon#ent presente# the testi'on" ofSaturnina C/ Halos& 2h/D/ hen she testifie#& Dr/ Halos was an Asso%iate 2rofessor atDe 3a Salle ni!ersit" where she tau ht Cell 6iolo "/ She was also hea# of the

ni!ersit" of the 2hilippines Natural S%ien%es Resear%h Institute (@ 2;NSRI )& a DNAanal"sis la.orator"/ She was a for'er professor at the ni!ersit" of the 2hilippines inDili'an& 4ue5on Cit"& where she #e!elope# the ole%ular 6iolo " 2ro ra' an# tau ht

ole%ular 6iolo "/ In her testi'on"& Dr/ Halos #es%ri.e# the pro%ess for DNA paternit"testin an# asserte# that the test ha# an a%%ura%" rate of ::/::::M in esta.lishinpaternit"/ [,]

2etitioner oppose# DNA paternit" testin an# %onten#e# that it has not aine#a%%epta.ilit"/ 2etitioner further ar ue# that DNA paternit" testin !iolates his ri hta ainst self;in%ri'ination/

T4e Ru('n) o9 4e T ' ( Cou

In an Or#er #ate# + 0e.ruar" *777& the trial %ourt rante# respon#ent-s 'otion to%on#u%t DNA paternit" testin on petitioner& respon#ent an# Ar'i Al.a/ ThusG

In view of the foregoing, the motion of the petitioner is GRANTED and the relevant individuals,namely: the petitioner, the minor child, and respondent are directed to undergo DNA paternitytesting in a la oratory of their common choice within a period of thirty !"#$ days from receipt ofthe %rder, and to su mit the results thereof within a period of ninety !$ days fromcompletion' The parties are further reminded of the hearing set on () *e ruary (### for thereception of other evidence in support of the petition'

IT I+ +% %RDERED' [5] !Emphasis in the original$

2etitioner file# a 'otion for re%onsi#eration of the + 0e.ruar" *777 Or#er/ Heasserte# that @un#er the present %ir%u'stan%es& the DNA test [he] is %o'pelle# to ta e
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woul# .e in%on%lusi!e& irrele!ant an# the %oer%i!e pro%ess to o.tain the re


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2etitioner 'o!e# for re%onsi#eration& whi%h the appellate %ourt #enie# in itsResolution #ate# *+ a" *771/ [:]

I//ue/

2etitioner raises the issue of whether a DNA test is a !ali# pro.ati!e tool in this uris#i%tion to #eter'ine filiation/ 2etitioner as s for the %on#itions un#er whi%h DNAte%hnolo " 'a" .e inte rate# into our u#i%ial s"ste' an# the prere


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ph"si%al a.sen%e or i'poten%"/ [18] The putati!e father 'a" also show that the 'otherha# se$ual relations with other 'en at the ti'e of %on%eption/

A %hil# .orn to a hus.an# an# wife #urin a !ali# 'arria e is presu'e# le iti'ate/[1E] The %hil#-s le iti'a%" 'a" .e i'pu ne# onl" un#er the stri%t stan#ar#s pro!i#e# ."law/ [1?]

0inall"& ph"si%al rese'.lan%e .etween the putati!e father an# %hil# 'a" .e offere#as part of e!i#en%e of paternit"/ Rese'.lan%e is a trial te%hni' Illegitimate children may esta lish their illegitimate filiation in the same way and onthe same evidence as legitimate children'

333

ART' 0(' The filiation of legitimate children is esta lished y any of the following:

! $ The record of irth appearing in the civil register or a final 5udgment? or

!($ An admission of legitimate filiation in a pu lic document or a private handwritteninstrument and signed y the parent concerned'

In the a sence of the foregoing evidence, the legitimate filiation shall e proved y:

! $ The open and continuous possession of the status of a legitimate child? or

!($ Any other means allowed y the Rules of /ourt and special laws'
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The Rules on F!i#en%e in%lu#e pro!isions on pe#i ree/ The rele!ant se%tions ofRule 1+7 pro!i#eG

+E/' "&' Act or declaration about pedigree. The act or declaration of a person deceased, oruna le to testify, in respect to the pedigree of another person related to him y irth ormarriage, may e received in evidence where it occurred efore the controversy, and the

relationship etween the two persons is shown y evidence other than such act or declaration'The word 2pedigree4 includes relationship, family genealogy, irth, marriage, death, the dateswhen and the places where these facts occurred, and the names of the relatives' It em racesalso facts of family history intimately connected with pedigree'

+E/' )#' Family reputation or tradition regarding pedigree. The reputation or tradition e3istingin a family previous to the controversy, in respect to the pedigree of any one of its mem ers,may e received in evidence if the witness testifying thereon e also a mem er of the family,either y consanguinity or affinity' Entries in family i les or other family oo6s or charts,engraving on rings, family portraits and the li6e, may e received as evidence of pedigree'

This Court-s rulin s further spe%if" what in%ri'inatin a%ts are a%%epta.le ase!i#en%e to esta.lish filiation/ In Pe Li v! "A &[*7] a %ase petitioner often %ites& we state#that the issue of paternit" still has to .e resol!e# ." su%h %on!entional e!i#en%e as therele!ant 'n8 '-'n 'n) !er.al an# written a%ts ." the putati!e father/ n#er Arti%le *E?of the New Ci!il Co#e& !oluntar" re%o nition ." a parent shall .e 'a#e in the re%or# of.irth& a will& a state'ent .efore a %ourt of re%or#& or in an" authenti% writin / To .eeffe%ti!e& the %lai' of filiation 'ust .e 'a#e ." the putati!e father hi'self an# thewritin 'ust .e the writin of the putati!e father/ [*1] A notarial a ree'ent to support a%hil# whose filiation is a#'itte# ." the putati!e father was %onsi#ere# a%%epta.lee!i#en%e/ [**] 3etters to the 'other !owin to .e a oo# father to the %hil# an# pi%tures ofthe putati!e father %u##lin the %hil# on !arious o%%asions& to ether with the %ertifi%ateof li!e .irth& pro!e# filiation/ [*+] Howe!er& a stu#ent per'anent re%or#& a written %onsentto a father-s operation& or a 'arria e %ontra%t where the putati!e father a!e %onsent&%annot .e ta en as authenti% writin / [*,] Stan#in alone& neither a %ertifi%ate of.aptis' [*9] nor fa'il" pi%tures [*8] are suffi%ient to esta.lish filiation/

So far& the laws& rules& an# urispru#en%e see'in l" li'it e!i#en%e of paternit" an#filiation to in%ri'inatin a%ts alone/ Howe!er& a#!an%es in s%ien%e show that sour%es ofe!i#en%e of paternit" an# filiation nee# not .e li'ite# to in%ri'inatin a%ts/ There is nowal'ost uni!ersal s%ientifi% a ree'ent that .loo# roupin tests are %on%lusi!e on non;paternit"& althou h in%on%lusi!e on paternit"/ [*E]

In "o #ao v! "ourt of Appeals &[*?] the result of the .loo# roupin test showe# thatthe putati!e father was a @possi.le father of the %hil#/ 2aternit" was i'pute# to theputati!e father after the possi.ilit" of paternit" was pro!en on presentation #urin trial offa%ts an# %ir%u'stan%es other than the results of the .loo# roupin test/

In Jao v! "ourt of Appeals &[*:] the %hil#& the 'other& an# the putati!e father a ree#to su.'it the'sel!es to a .loo# roupin test/ The National 6ureau of In!esti ation(@N6I ) %on#u%te# the test& whi%h in#i%ate# that the %hil# %oul# not ha!e .een thepossi.le offsprin of the 'other an# the putati!e father/ e hel# that the result of the.loo# roupin test was %on%lusi!e on the non;paternit" of the putati!e father/

The present %ase as s us to o one step further/ e are now as e# whether DNAanal"sis 'a" .e a#'itte# as e!i#en%e to pro!e paternit"/
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$%A Analysis as Evidence

DNA is the fun#a'ental .uil#in .lo% of a person-s entire eneti% 'a e;up/ DNAis foun# in all hu'an %ells an# is the sa'e in e!er" %ell of the sa'e person/ >eneti%i#entit" is uni


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is e3cluded as the father' If the DNA types match, then he is not e3cluded as the father'[:2] !Emphasis in the original$

Althou h the ter' @DNA testin was 'entione# in the 1::9 %ase of People v!#eehan&ee, Jr .&[++] it was onl" in the *771 %ase of #i'ing v! "ourt of Appeals [+,] that'ore than a passin 'ention was i!en to DNA anal"sis/ In #i'ing , we issue# a writof habeas corpus a ainst respon#ent who a.#u%te# petitioners- "oun est son/Testi'onial an# #o%u'entar" e!i#en%e an# ph"si%al rese'.lan%e were use# toesta.lish parenta e/ Howe!er& we o.ser!e# thatG

-arentage will still e resolved using conventional methods unless we adopt the modern andscientific ways availa le' *ortunately, we have now the facility and e3pertise in using DNA testfor identification and parentage testing' The 7niversity of the -hilippines Natural +cienceResearch Institute !7-BN+RI$ DNA Analysis .a oratory has now the capa ility to conduct DNAtyping using short tandem repeat !+TR$ analysis' 333 *or it was said, that courts should applythe results of science when completely o tained in aid of situations presented, since to re5ectsaid result is to deny progress' Though it is not necessary in this case to resort to DNA testing,in 8the9 future it would e useful to all concerned in the prompt resolution of parentage andidentity issues'

Ad issibility of $%A Analysis as Evidence

The *77* %ase of People v! (alle'o [+9] #is%usse# DNA anal"sis as e!i#en%e/ This'a" .e %onsi#ere# a 1?7 #e ree turn fro' the Court-s war" attitu#e towar#s DNAtestin in the 1::E PeLi %ase&[+8] where we state# that @DNA& .ein a relati!el" news%ien%e& $$$ has not "et .een a%%or#e# offi%ial re%o nition ." our %ourts/ In (alle'o &the DNA profile fro' the !a inal swa.s ta en fro' the rape !i%ti' 'at%he# thea%%use#-s DNA profile/ e affir'e# the a%%use#-s %on!i%tion of rape with ho'i%i#e an#senten%e# hi' to #eath/ e #e%lare#G

In assessing the pro ative value of DNA evidence, therefore, courts should consider, amongother things, the following data: how the samples were collected, how they were handled, thepossi ility of contamination of the samples, the procedure followed in analy@ing the samples,whether the proper standards and procedures were followed in conducting the tests, and the

ualification of the analyst who conducted the tests' [:7]

(alle'o #is%usse# the pro.ati!e !alue& not a#'issi.ilit"& of DNA e!i#en%e/ 6" *77*&there was no lon er an"


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test results to pro!e that he is not the father of the %hil# %on%ei!e# at the ti'e of%o''ission of the rape/ The Court rule# that a #ifferen%e .etween the DNA profile ofthe %on!i%t;petitioner an# the DNA profile of the !i%ti'-s %hil# #oes not pre%lu#e the%on!i%t;petitioner-s %o''ission of rape/

In the present %ase& the !arious plea#in s file# ." petitioner an# respon#ent refer totwo nite# States %ases to support their respe%ti!e positions on the a#'issi.ilit" of DNAanal"sis as e!i#en%eG Frye v! /!S . [,7] an# $aubert v! 0errell $ow Phar aceuticals /[,1] In Frye v! /!S! & the trial %ourt %on!i%te# 0r"e of 'ur#er/ 0r"e appeale# his %on!i%tionto the Supre'e Court of the Distri%t of Colu'.ia/ Durin trial& 0r"e-s %ounsel offere# ane$pert witness to testif" on the result of a s"stoli% .loo# pressure #e%eption test [,*] 'a#eon #efen#ant/ The state Supre'e Court affir'e# 0r"e-s %on!i%tion an# rule# that @thes"stoli% .loo# pressure #e%eption test has not "et aine# su%h stan#in an# s%ientifi%re%o nition a'on ph"siolo i%al an# ps"%holo i%al authorities as woul# ustif" the%ourts in a#'ittin e$pert testi'on" #e#u%e# fro' the #is%o!er"& #e!elop'ent& an#e$peri'ents thus far 'a#e/ The Frye stan#ar# of eneral a%%eptan%e states asfollowsG

ust when a scientific principle or discovery crosses the line etween the e3perimental anddemonstra le stages is difficult to define' +omewhere in this twilight @one the evidential forceof the principle must e recogni@ed, and while courts will go a long way in admitting e3perttestimony deduced from a well recogni@ed scientific principle or discovery, the thing from whichthe deduction is made must e sufficiently esta lished to have gained general acceptance in theparticular field in which it elongs'

In 1:?:& State v! Schwart1 [,+] 'o#ifie# the Frye stan#ar#/ S%hwart5 was %har e#with sta..in an# 'ur#er/ 6loo#staine# arti%les an# .loo# sa'ples of the a%%use# an#the !i%ti' were su.'itte# for DNA testin to a o!ern'ent fa%ilit" an# a pri!ate fa%ilit"/The prose%ution intro#u%e# the pri!ate testin fa%ilit"-s results o!er S%hwart5-so. e%tion/ One of the issues .rou ht .efore the state Supre'e Court in%lu#e# thea#'issi.ilit" of DNA test results in a %ri'inal pro%ee#in / The state Supre'e Court%on%lu#e# thatG

;hile we agree with the trial court that forensic DNA typing has gained general acceptance inthe scientific community, we hold that admissi ility of specific test results in a particular casehinges on the la oratory1s compliance with appropriate standards and controls, and theavaila ility of their testing data and results' [++]

In 1::+& $aubert v! 0errell $ow Phar aceuticals, *nc . [,9] further 'o#ifie#the Frye2Schwart1 stan#ar#/ $aubert was a pro#u%t lia.ilit" %ase where .oth the trialan# appellate %ourts #enie# the a#'issi.ilit" of an e$pert-s testi'on" .e%ause it faile#to 'eet the Frye stan#ar# of @ eneral a%%eptan%e/ The nite# States Supre'e Courtrule# that in fe#eral trials& the 0e#eral Rules of F!i#en%e ha!e superse#e#the Frye stan#ar#/ Rule ,71 #efines rele!ant e!i#en%e& while Rule ,7* pro!i#es thefoun#ation for a#'issi.ilit" of e!i#en%e/ ThusG

Rule )# ' 2Relevant evidence4 is defined as that which has any 2tendency to ma6e thee3istence of any fact that is of conse uence to the determination of the action more pro a le orless pro a le than it would e without the evidence'
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Rule )#(' All relevant evidence is admissi le, e3cept as otherwise provided y the /onstitutionof the 7nited +tates, y Act of /ongress, y these rules, or y other rules prescri ed y the+upreme /ourt pursuant to statutory authority' Evidence which is not relevant is notadmissi le'

Rule E7* of the 0e#eral Rules of F!i#en%e o!ernin e$pert testi'on" pro!i#esG

If scientific, technical, or other speciali@ed 6nowledge will assist the trier of fact to understandthe evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness ualified as an e3pert y 6nowledge, s6ill,e3perience, training, or education, may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise'

$aubert %autions that #eparture fro' the Frye stan#ar# of eneral a%%eptan%e#oes not 'ean that the 0e#eral Rules #o not pla%e li'its on the a#'issi.ilit" of s%ientifi%e!i#en%e/ Rather& the u# e 'ust ensure that the testi'on"-s reasonin or 'etho# iss%ientifi%all" !ali# an# is rele!ant to the issue/ A#'issi.ilit" woul# #epen# on fa%torssu%h as (1) whether the theor" or te%hni


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Probative (alue of $%A Analysis as Evidence

Despite our relati!el" li.eral rules on a#'issi.ilit"& trial %ourts shoul# .e %autious ini!in %re#en%e to DNA anal"sis as e!i#en%e/ e reiterate our state'ent in (alle'o G

In assessing the pro ative value of DNA evidence, therefore, courts should consider, amongother things, the following data: how the samples were collected, how they were handled, thepossi ility of contamination of the samples, the procedure followed in analy@ing the samples,whether the proper standards and procedures were followed in conducting the tests, and the

ualification of the analyst who conducted the tests' [51]

e also repeat the trial %ourt-s e$planation of DNA anal"sis use# in paternit" %asesG

In 8a9 paternity test, the forensic scientist loo6s at a num er of these varia le regions in anindividual to produce a DNA profile' /omparing ne3t the DNA profiles of the mother and child, itis possi le to determine which half of the child1s DNA was inherited from the mother' The otherhalf must have een inherited from the iological father' The alleged father1s profile is thene3amined to ascertain whether he has the DNA types in his profile, which match the paternaltypes in the child' If the man1s DNA types do not match that of the child, the man is e3cluded asthe father' If the DNA types match, then he is not e3cluded as the father' [52]

It is not enou h to state that the %hil#-s DNA profile 'at%hes that of the putati!e father/ A %o'plete 'at%h .etween the DNA profile of the %hil# an# the DNA profile of theputati!e father #oes not ne%essaril" esta.lish paternit"/ 0or this reason& followin thehi hest stan#ar# a#opte# in an A'eri%an uris#i%tion& [9+] trial %ourts shoul# re


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A ain& we $? morphine forced out of the mouth was received as proof !7+ vs' %ng +iu$? an order y the 5udge for the witness to put on pair of pants for si@e wasallowed !-eople vs' %tadora, FH -hil' ())$? and the court can compel a woman accused ofadultery to su mit for pregnancy test ! illaflor vs' +ummers, ) -hil' H($, since the gist of theprivilege is the restriction on testimonial compulsion. [56]

The poli%" of the 0a'il" Co#e to li.erali5e the rule on the in!esti ation of thepaternit" an# filiation of %hil#ren& espe%iall" of ille iti'ate %hil#ren& is without pre u#i%e

to the ri ht of the putati!e parent to %lai' his or her own #efenses/[9E]

here thee!i#en%e to ai# this in!esti ation is o.taina.le throu h the fa%ilities of 'o#ern s%ien%ean# te%hnolo "& su%h e!i#en%e shoul# .e %onsi#ere# su. e%t to the li'its esta.lishe# ."the law& rules& an# urispru#en%e/

*HEREFORE & we DIS ISS the petition/ e A00IR the De%ision of the Court of Appeals #ate# *: No!e'.er *777 in CA;>/R/ S2 No/ 9:E88/ e also A00IR theOr#ers #ate# + 0e.ruar" *777 an# ? =une *777 issue# ." 6ran%h ,? of the Re ionalTrial Court of anila in Ci!il Case No/ S2;:?;??E9:/

SO OR ERE .

Davide, "r., C."., 1Chairman2, 4uisumbing, &nares3+antiago, an# A'cuna,""., %on%ur .

SE&ON I)ISION

@G/R/ No/ 40 164/ >arc" : 0664B

EDGARDO A/ TI5ING and ?IENVENIDA R/ TI5ING petitioners,vs. COURT O= A EALS (Se#en!" Di#i%ion) and ANGELITADIA>ANTE respondents.

D E C I S I O NUISU>?ING J /9
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For re$ e< s t e (e- s on o5 t e &o%rt o5 Appe'ls ('te( !'r- 6, 1 6, n &A#G.R. SP No. ; 0 6, re$ers n t e (e- s on o5 t e Re on'l Tr 'l &o%rt n ' pet t on5or habeas corpus o5 E( 'r(o T ? n , *r., 'lle e(l t e - l( o5 pet t oners.

Pet t oners 're %s 'n( 'n( < 5e. T e '$e s / - l(ren. T e o%n est s

E( 'r(o T ? n , *r., < o


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l'te To+'s Lope , -o%l( not '$e poss l 5't ere( *o n T o+'s Lope 's t e l'tter


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(e-l'r n t 't E( 'r(o T ? n , *r., 'n( *o n T o+'s Lope 're one 'n( t e s'+e person, 3 4 'n( ( spose( o5 t e -'se, t %s:

IN )IEB OF THE FOREGOING, t e (e- s on o5 t e lo


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prose-%te( 5or t e p%rpose o5 (eter+ n n t e r t o5 -%sto( o$er ' - l(. 31;4 It +%st e stresse( too t 't n habeas corpus pro-ee( n s, t e D%est on o5 (ent t s rele$'nt'n( +'ter 'l, s% ?e-t to t e %s%'l pres%+pt ons n-l%( n t ose 's to (ent t o5 t e

person.

In t s -'se, t e + norCs (ent t s -r%- 'l n (eter+ n n t e propr et o5 t e


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T r(,


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SO ORDERED/

ellosillo, $Chair an5, Men%o/a, uena, 'n( +e #eon, Jr., JJ., -on-%r.

EN "AN&

@G/R/ No/ 433 / >ay 1 0660B

T8E EO LE O= T8E 8ILI INES plaintiff-appellee, vs. GERRICOVALLE5O F SA>ARTINO UHE accused-appellant.

D E C I S I O N PER CURIAM 9

T s s 'n 'ppe'l 5ro+ t e (e- s on 314 o5 t e Re on'l Tr 'l &o%rt, "r'n- >>, &'$ te & t ,senten- n Gerr -o )'lle?o S'+'rt no to (e't 'n( or(er n + to n(e+n 5 t e e rs o5 t e$ -t + n t e '+o%nt o5P100,000.00 's - $ l n(e+n t 'n( P 0,000.00 's +or'l ('+' es 5or t er'pe#sl' n o5 ' # e'r ol( - l(, ' s olol', n Ros'r o, &'$ te on *%l 10, 1 .

T e In5or+'t on - 'r n '--%se(#'ppell'nt Gerr -o )'lle?o < t t e -r +e o5 R'pe < tHo+ - (e 'lle e(:

T 't on or ' o%t t e 10t (' o5 *%l 1 , n "'r'n ' L ton I, !%n - p'l t o5Ros'r o, Pro$ n-e o5 &'$ te, P l pp nes 'n( < t n t e ?%r s( -t on o5 t s Honor' le

Tr 'l &o%rt, t e ' o$e#n'+e( '--%se(, < t le


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P l'p l, L ton I, Ros'r o, &'$ te, so t 't A +ee )'lle?o, t e s ster o5 '--%se(#'ppell'nt, -o%l(elp ' s < t er lessons. A +eeCs o%se, < ere '--%se(#'ppell'nt


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'--or( n to t s < tness, t e (e- (e( to et so+e 5 s n +ple+ents. S e s' ( t e +et'--%se(#'ppell'nt Gerr -o )'lle?o ne'r t e se's ore 'n( not -e( t 't e .0 -+s., le5t 'nter or 'spe-t, 2=.0 / 10.0-+s., 5eet, pl'nt'r 'spe-ts r t, .0 / ;.0 -+s. 'n( le5t, 1;.0 / .0 -+s.

He+'to+', le5t r n 5 n er, poster or 'spe-t, 1.0 / 0. -+.L'-er't ons, le5t r n 5 n er, poster or 'spe-t, 0.; -+.

8L $ n &'se No. "!P# 02, p. 101, re-or(s9J

At ' o%t 10:00 oC-lo-@ n t e e$en n , r. )ert (o


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&ont%s on, 8p n@ s 9 5'-e, r t, 1=.0 / 10.0 -+s. 'n( le5t, 1;.0 / 6.0 -+s. &ont%se(' r's ons, 5ore e'(, 1;.0 / .0 -+s. %pper l p, .0 / 22.0 -+s., lo.0 / .0 -+s., 'r+s, r t 'ntero#+e( 'l'spe-t, + ((le ;r( ;.0 / 1 .0 -+s. poster or 'spe-t, %pper ;r(, 1. / 1.0 -+s., le5t

poster or 'spe-t, 20.0 / .0 -+s., 5ore'r+, le5t, poster or 'spe-t, 21.0 / >.0 -+s. le5tt %+ , 'nter or 'spe-t, 1. / 1.0 -+s., le5t + ((le, r n 'n( l ttle 5 n ers, (ors'l'spe-t, . 0 / =.0 -+s. @nees, r t, ;.0 / 2.0 -+s. 'n( le5t, >.0# / .0 -+s., le s, r t'nter or 'spe-t, %pper 'n( + ((le ;r( ;.0 / 2. -+s. 5oot r t, (ors'l 'spe-t.

He+'to+', per or t'l r t, .0 / ;.0 -+s. 'n( le5t, =. / ;.0 -+s.

Fr'-t%re, tr'- e'l r n s.

He+orr ' es, nterst t 'l, ne-@, %n(erne't , n' l+'r@s. Pete- 'le+orr ' es, s% en(o-'r( 'l, s% ple%r'l.

"r' n 'n( ot er $ s-er'l or 'ns 're -on este(.

Sto+'- , -ont' ns V r -e 'n( ot er 5oo( p'rt -les.

&A SE OF EATH: #Asp / ' !'n%'l Str'n %l't on.

GENITAL EWA!INATION: # P% - ' r, no ro


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to tell t e tr%t . PO2 G'r- ', t e n$est 'tor, n5or+e( '--%se(#'ppell'nt o5 s -onst t%t on'lr ts to re+' n s lent 'n( to e 'ss ste( -o%nsel 'n(


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-ons- en-e. A--%se(#'ppell'nt, 'ss ste( Att . A %n' , t en '55 /e( s s n't%re to t e(o-%+ent 'n( s


68/113

'--%se(#'ppell'nt tr'ns5erre( t e r res (en-e to L' %n' on *%l 12, 1 e-'%se o5 5e'r o5repr s'l res (ents o5 t e r 'r'n ' . 31>4A--or( n to '--%se(#'ppell'nt, !' or A %t'n 'n(Att . Le $'


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8 9 t e 5'-ts 5ro+ < - t e n5eren-es 're (er $e( 're pro$en 'n(

8-9 t e -o+ n't on o5 'll - r-%+st'n-es s s%- 's to pro(%-e -on$ -t on e on(re'son' le (o% t.J 32;4

In t e -'se 't 'r, t e 5ollo< n - r-%+st'nt 'l e$ (en-e est' l s e on( re'son' le (o% tt e % lt o5 '--%se(#'ppell'nt:

1. T e $ -t +


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'll o$er er o( < -


71/113

'n'l s s + t t en e repe'te( < t t e s'+e or ' ( 55erent s'+ple, to o t' n ' +ore -on-l%s $eres%lt or

;9 T e s'+ples 're s + l'r, 'n( -o%l( '$e or n'te( 5ro+ t e s'+e so%r-e 8 n-l%s on9. 3;;4 Ins%- ' -'se, t e s'+ples 're 5o%n( to e s + l'r, t e 'n'l st pro-ee(s to (eter+ ne t e st't st -'ls n 5 -'n-e o5 t e S + l'r t .3;=4

In 'ssess n t e pro 't $e $'l%e o5 NA e$ (en-e, t ere5ore, -o%rts s o%l( -ons (er, '+onot ers t n s, t e 5ollo< n ('t': o< t e s'+ples


72/113

T %s, t s t e n'(eD%'- o5 t e spe- +ens s% + tte( 5or e/'+ n't on, 'n( not t e poss l t t 't t e s'+ples '( een -ont'+ n'te(, < - '--o%nte( 5or t e ne 't $e res%lts o5t e r e/'+ n't on. "%t t e $' n'l s


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6P!-&*C3T-! #3 :

Q: pon +eet n t s Gerr -o )'lle?o 't t e pol -e st't on


74/113

Q: ( Att . Le $' tell o% t 't 5 o% (o not


75/113

Q: Ple'se tell %s n t' 'lo , t e e/'-t


76/113

D%est ons p%t !r. "%'n to '--%se(#'ppell'nt


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Q: ( t e 5%rt er nterro 'te o%K

A: es, s r.

Q: B 't else ( ( t e 's@ o%K

A: T e


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A: T e 5or-e( +e to re+o$e + -lot es, S r.

Q: In < 't


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I5 t e '--o%nt o5 '--%se(#'ppell'nt t 't e ; o5 t e Re$ se( Pen'l &o(e,

%pon t e 5 n'l t o5 t s (e- s on, let t e re-or(s o5 t s -'se e 5ort < t 5or


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r,

- versus -

=inor %ANNE R%D INDIAJ, Represented y


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T+is is a petition or Re ie on Certiorari nder R !e /0 ot+e Re ised R !es o Ci i! Pro$ed re assai!in" 1&2 t+e #e$ision 3&4 ot+e Co rt o Appea!s dated (5 No em%er ())0 and 1(2 t+eReso! tion 3(4 o t+e same $o rt dated & Mar$+ ())6 den7in"petitioner8s Motion or Re$onsideration in CA-9.R. C No. ')&(0.

A Comp!aint 354 or $omp !sor7 re$o"nition it+ pra7er ors pport pendin" !iti"ation as i!ed %7 minor ;oanne Rod7 pra7ed t+at

< d"ment %e rendered:

1a2 Orderin" de endant to re$o"ni=e p!ainti ;oanne Rod


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As a!!e"ed %7 ;in>7 in +er Comp!aint in No em%er &@@5 in Tar!a$ Cit7, s+e and Ro"e!io "ot a$? ainted. T+is de e!oped into

riends+ip and !ater %!ossomed into !o e. At t+is time, ;in>7 asa!read7 married to a ;apanese nationa!, Hase"a a ats o, in a$i i! eddin" so!emni=ed on &@ Be%r ar7 &@@5 %7 M ni$ipa! Tria!Co rt ; d"e Pan i!o . a!de=. 304

Brom ;an ar7 &@@/ to Septem%er &@@ , ;in>7 and Ro"e!io$o+a%ited and !i ed to"et+er at Bair!ane S %di ision, and !aterat Capito! 9arden, Tar!a$ Cit7.

Brom t+is !i e-in re!ations+ip, minor ;oanne Rod7 to t+e +ospita! and too> minor ;oanneand ;in>7 +ome a ter de!i er7. Ro"e!io paid a!! t+e +ospita! %i!!s

and t+e %aptisma! e*penses and pro ided or a!! o minor ;oanne8sneeds re$o"ni=in" t+e $+i!d as +is.

In Septem%er &@@ , Ro"e!io a%andoned minor ;oanne and ;in>7, and stopped s pportin" minor ;oanne, a!se!7 a!!e"in" t+at+e is not t+e at+er o t+e $+i!d.

Ro"e!io, despite ;in>78s remonstran$e, ai!ed and re sedand $ontin ed ai!in" and re sin" to "i e s pport or t+e $+i!dand to a$>no !ed"e +er as +is da "+ter, t+ s !eadin" to t+e i!in"o t+e +ereto ore ad erted $omp!aint.
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A ter s mmons +ad %een d !7 ser ed pon Ro"e!io, t+e!atter ai!ed to i!e an7 responsi e p!eadin" despite repeatedmotions or e*tension, promptin" t+e tria! $o rt to de$!are +im inde a !t in its Order dated ' Apri! &@@@. Ro"e!io8s Ans er it+Co nter$!aim and Spe$ia! and A irmati e #e enses as re$ei ed%7 t+e tria! $o rt on!7 on &0 Apri! &@@@. ;in>7 as a!!o ed topresent +er e iden$e ex parte on t+e %asis o +i$+ t+e tria! $o rton (5 Apri! &@@@ rendered a de$ision "rantin" t+e re!ie s pra7ed

or in t+e $omp!aint.

In its #e$ision 364 dated (5 Apri! &@@@, t+e RTC +e!d:

FHEREBORE, < d"ment is +ere%7 rendered:

&. Orderin" de endant to re$o"ni=e p!aintias +is nat ra! $+i!dG

(. Orderin" de endant to pro ide p!aintiit+ a mont+!7 s pport o P&),))).)) and rt+er

5. Orderin" de endant to pa7 reasona%!eattorne78s ees in t+e amo nt o P0,))).)) and t+e $osto t+e s it.

On ( Apri! &@@@, Ro"e!io i!ed a motion to !i t t+e order ode a !t and a motion or re$onsideration see>in" t+e $o rt8s


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de endant is +ere%7 ordered to pa7 to p!aintiimmediate!7 t+e s m o P(,))).)) a mont+ rom ;an ar7&0, &@@@ to Ma7 &@@@ as s pport pendente !ite in arrearsand t+e amo nt o P/,))).)) e er7 mont+ t+erea ter as

re" !ar s pport pendente !ite d rin" t+e penden$7 o t+is$ase. 3@4

T+e RTC ina!!7 +e!d:

T+e on!7 iss e to %e reso! ed is +et+er or not t+ede endant is t+e at+er o t+e p!ainti ;oanne Rod7 #ia= as married at t+e time o t+e %irt+ o

;oanne Rod7 #ia= 1Arti$!e &6/, Bami!7 Code2. T+e $+i!d is sti!!pres med !e"itimate e en i t+e mot+er ma7 +a ede$!ared a"ainst +er !e"itima$7 1Arti$!e &6', I%id2.

T+e !e"itima$7 o a $+i!d ma7 %e imp "ned on!7on t+e o!!o in" "ro nds pro ided or in Arti$!e &66 o t+esame Code. Para"rap+ & o t+e said Arti$!e pro ides t+at

t+ere m st %e p+7si$a! impossi%i!it7 or t+e + s%and to+a e se* a! inter$o rse it+ t+e i e it+in t+e irst &()da7s o t+e 5)) da7s o!!o in" t+e %irt+ o t+e $+i!d%e$a se o


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a2 p+7si$a! in$apa$it7 o t+e + s%and to+a e se* a! inter$o rse it+ +is i eG

%2 + s%and and i e ere !i in"separate!7 in s $+ a a7 t+at se* a!inter$o rse as not possi%!eG

$2 serio s i!!ness o t+e + s%and +i$+pre ented se* a! inter$o rse.

It as esta%!is+ed %7 e iden$e t+at t+e + s%and isa ;apanese nationa! and t+at +e as !i in" o tside o t+e$o ntr7 1TSN, A ". (', &@@@, pa"e 02 and +e $omes +omeon!7 on$e a 7ear. ot+ e iden$e o t+e parties pro edt+at t+e + s%and as o tside t+e $o ntr7 and noe iden$e as s+o n t+at +e e er arri ed in t+e $o ntr7 int+e 7ear &@@' pre$edin" t+e %irt+ o p!ainti ;oanneRod


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$onne$tion it+ t+e %irt+ o p!ainti . It is an e iden$e oadmission t+at +e is t+e rea! at+er o p!ainti . #e endanta!so admitted t+at e en +en +e stopped "oin" o t it+

;in>7, +e and ;in>7 sed to "o to mote!s e en a ter

&@@6. #e endant a!so admitted t+at on some instan$es,+e sti!! sed to see ;in>7 a ter t+e %irt+ o ;oanneRod7a ter s+e "a e %irt+ to ;oanne.

On t+e stren"t+ o t+is e iden$e, t+e Co rt indst+at ;oanne Rod7 and de endant

Ro"e!io On" and it is % t < st t+at t+e !atter s+o !ds pport p!ainti . 3&)4

On &0 #e$em%er ())), t+e RTC rendered a de$ision anddisposed:

FHEREBORE, < d"ment is +ere%7 renderedde$!arin" ;oanne Rod o merit in an Order o t+e tria! $o rt dated &@

;an ar7 ())&. 3&(4 Brom t+e denia! o +is Motion or
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Re$onsideration, Ro"e!io appea!ed to t+e Co rt o Appea!s. A tera!! t+e responsi e p!eadin"s +ad %een i!ed, t+e $ase ass %mitted or de$ision and ordered re-ra !ed to anot+er ; sti$e

or st d7 and report as ear!7 as &( ; !7 ())(. 3&54

# rin" t+e penden$7 o t+e $ase it+ t+e Co rt o Appea!s,Ro"e!io8s $o nse! i!ed a mani estation in ormin" t+e Co rt t+atRo"e!io died on (& Be%r ar7 ())0G +en$e, a Noti$e o S %stit tion

as i!ed %7 said $o nse! pra7in" t+at Ro"e!io %e s %stit ted int+e $ase %7 t+e Estate o Ro"e!io On", 3&/4 +i$+ motion asa$$ordin"!7 "ranted %7 t+e Co rt o Appea!s. 3&04

In a #e$ision dated (5 No em%er ())0, t+e Co rt oAppea!s +e!d:

FHEREBORE, premises $onsidered, t+e presentappea! is +ere%7 9RANTE#. T+e appea!ed #e$ision

dated #e$em%er &0, ())) o t+e Re"iona! Tria! Co rt o Tar!a$, Tar!a$, ran$+ 65 in Ci i! Case No. '@@ is +ere%7SET ASI#E. T+e $ase is +ere%7 REMAN#E# to t+e $o rt aquo or t+e iss an$e o an order dire$tin" t+e parties toma>e arran"ements or #NA ana!7sis or t+e p rpose odeterminin" t+e paternit7 o p!ainti minor ;oanne Rod


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Hen$e, t+is petition +i$+ raises t+e o!!o in" iss es orreso! tion:

I

FHETHER OR NOT THE COURT OB APPEADS ERRE# FHENIT #I# NOT #ISMISS RESPON#ENT8S COMPDAINT BORCOMPUDSORY RECO9NITION #ESPITE ITS BIN#IN9 THAT

THE E I#ENCE PRESENTE# BAIDE# TO PRO E THATRO9EDIO 9. ON9 FAS HER BATHER.

II

FHETHER OR NOT THE COURT OB APPEADS ERRE# FHENIT #I# NOT #ECDARE RESPON#ENT AS THE DE9ITIMATECHID# OB ;IN Y C. #IAZ AN# HER ;APANESE HUS AN#,CONSI#ERIN9 THAT RESPON#ENT BAIDE# TO RE UT THEPRESUMPTION OB HER DE9ITIMACY.

III

FHETHER OR NOT THE COURT OB APPEADS ERRE# FHENIT REMAN#E# THE CASE TO THE COURT A LUO BOR #NAANADYSIS #ESPITE THE BACT THAT IT IS NO DON9ERBEASI DE #UE TO THE #EATH OB RO9EDIO 9. ON9. 3& 4


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Petitioner pra7s t+at t+e present petition %e "i en d e$o rse and t+e #e$ision o t+e Co rt o Appea!s dated No em%er(5, ())0 %e modi ied, %7 settin" aside t+e < d"ment remandin"t+e $ase to t+e tria! $o rt or #NA testin" ana!7sis, %7 dismissin"t+e $omp!aint o minor ;oanne or $omp !sor7 re$o"nition, and %7de$!arin" t+e minor as t+e !e"itimate $+i!d o ;in>7 and Hase"a a

ats o. 3&@4

Brom amon" t+e iss es presented or o r disposition, t+isCo rt inds it pr dent to $on$entrate its attention on t+e t+irdone, t+e propriet7 o t+e appe!!ate $o rt8s de$ision remandin" t+e

$ase to t+e tria! $o rt or t+e $ond $t o #NA testin". Considerin"t+at a de initi e res !t o t+e #NA testin" i!! de$isi e!7 !a7 to restt+e iss e o t+e i!iation o minor ;oanne, e see no reason toreso! e t+e irst t o iss es raised %7 t+e petitioner as t+e7 i!! %erendered moot %7 t+e res !t o t+e #NA testin".

As a +o!e, t+e present petition $a!!s or t+e determination

o i!iation o minor ;oanne or p rposes o s pport in a or o t+esaid minor.

Bi!iation pro$eedin"s are s a!!7 i!ed not < st to ad< di$atepaternit7 % t a!so to se$ re a !e"a! ri"+t asso$iated it+paternit7, s $+ as $iti=ens+ip, s pport 1as in t+e present $ase2, orin+eritan$e. T+e % rden o pro in" paternit7 is on t+e person +oa!!e"es t+at t+e p tati e at+er is t+e %io!o"i$a! at+er o t+e$+i!d. T+ere are o r si"ni i$ant pro$ed ra! aspe$ts o atraditiona! paternit7 a$tion +i$+ parties +a e to a$e: a primafacie $ase, a irmati e de enses, pres mption o !e"itima$7, andp+7si$a! resem%!an$e %et een t+e p tati e at+er and $+i!d. 3()4
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A $+i!d %orn to a + s%and and i e d rin" a a!id marria"eis pres med !e"itimate. 3(&4 As a " arant7 in a or o t+e $+i!d andto prote$t +is stat s o !e"itima$7, Arti$!e &6' o t+e Bami!7 Codepro ides:

Arti$!e &6'. T+e $+i!dren s+a!! %e $onsidered!e"itimate a!t+o "+ t+e mot+er ma7 +a e de$!areda"ainst its !e"itima$7 or ma7 +a e %een senten$ed as anad !teress.

T+e !a re? ires t+at e er7 reasona%!e pres mption %emade in a or o !e"itima$7. Fe e*p!ained t+e rationa!e o t+isr !e in t+e re$ent $ase o Cabatania v. Court of Appeals 3((4 :

T+e pres mption o !e"itima$7 does not on!7 !o o t oa de$!aration in t+e stat te % t is %ased on t+e %road

prin$ip!es o nat ra! < sti$e and t+e s pposed irt e ot+e mot+er. T+e pres mption is "ro nded on t+e po!i$7to prote$t t+e inno$ent o sprin" rom t+e odi m oi!!e"itima$7.

T+e pres mption o !e"itima$7 o t+e $+i!d, +o e er, is not$on$! si e and $onse? ent!7, ma7 %e o ert+ro n %7 e iden$e tot+e $ontrar7. Hen$e, Arti$!e (00 o t+e Ne Ci i!Code 3(54 pro ides:
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Arti$!e (00. C+i!dren %orn a ter one + ndred andei"+t7 da7s o!!o in" t+e $e!e%ration o t+e marria"e, and%e ore t+ree + ndred da7s o!!o in" its disso! tion or t+eseparation o t+e spo ses s+a!! %e pres med to %e

!e"itimate.

A"ainst t+is pres mption no e iden$e s+a!! %eadmitted ot+er t+an t+at o t+e p+7si$a! impossi%i!it7 ot+e + s%and8s +a in" a$$ess to +is i e it+in t+e irstone + ndred and t ent7 da7s o t+e t+ree + ndred +i$+pre$eded t+e %irt+ o t+e $+i!d.

T+is p+7si$a! impossi%i!it7 ma7 %e $a sed:

&2 7 t+e impoten$e o t+e + s%andG

(2 7 t+e a$t t+at + s%and and i e ere !i in"separate!7 in s $+ a a7 t+at a$$ess as not possi%!eG

52 7 t+e serio s i!!ness o t+e + s%and. 3(/4

T+e re!e ant pro isions o t+e Bami!7 Code pro ide aso!!o s:

ART. &'(. T+e i!iation o !e"itimate $+i!dren isesta%!is+ed %7 an7 o t+e o!!o in":


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1&2 T+e re$ord o %irt+ appearin" in t+e $i i!re"ister or a ina! < d"mentG or

1(2 An admission o !e"itimate i!iation in ap %!i$ do$ ment or a pri ate +and ritten instr ment andsi"ned %7 t+e parent $on$erned.

In t+e a%sen$e o t+e ore"oin" e iden$e, t+e!e"itimate i!iation s+a!! %e pro ed %7:

1&2 T+e open and $ontin o s possession ot+e stat s o a !e"itimate $+i!dG or

1(2 An7 ot+er means a!!o ed %7 t+e R !es oCo rt and spe$ia! !a s.

ART. &'0. I!!e"itimate $+i!dren ma7 esta%!is+ t+eiri!!e"itimate i!iation in t+e same a7 and on t+e samee iden$e as !e"itimate $+i!dren.

T+ere +ad %een di er"ent and in$on"r ent statements andassertions %andied a%o t %7 t+e parties to t+e presentpetition. t it+ t+e ad an$ement in t+e ie!d o "eneti$s, andt+e a ai!a%i!it7 o ne te$+no!o"7, it $an no %e determined it+reasona%!e $ertaint7 +et+er Ro"e!io is t+e %io!o"i$a! at+er ot+e minor, t+ro "+ #NA testin".


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#NA is t+e ndamenta! % i!din" %!o$> o a person8s entire"eneti$ ma>e- p. #NA is o nd in a!! + man $e!!s and is t+e same

in e er7 $e!! o t+e same person. 9eneti$ identit7 isni? e. Hen$e, a person8s #NA pro i!e $an determine +is identit7.3(04

#NA ana!7sis is a pro$ed re in +i$+ #NA e*tra$ted rom a%io!o"i$a! samp!e o%tained rom an indi id a! is e*amined. T+e#NA is pro$essed to "enerate a pattern, or a #NA pro i!e, or t+eindi id a! rom +om t+e samp!e is ta>en. T+is #NA pro i!e is

ni? e or ea$+ person, e*$ept or identi$a! t ins.

E er7one is %orn it+ a distin$t "eneti$ %! eprint$a!!ed #NA 1deo*7ri%on $!ei$ a$id2. It is e*$! si e to anindi id a! 1e*$ept in t+e rare o$$ rren$e o identi$a! t inst+at s+are a sin"!e, erti!i=ed e""2, and #NA is n$+an"in"t+ro "+o t !i e. ein" a $omponent o e er7 $e!! in t+e

+ man %od7, t+e #NA o an indi id a!8s %!ood is t+e er7#NA in +is or +er s>in $e!!s, +air o!!i$!es, m s$!es, semen,samp!es rom % $$a! s a%s, sa!i a, or ot+er %od7 parts.

T+e $+emi$a! str $t re o #NA +as o r%ases. T+e7 are >no n as A 1Adenine2, 9 1" anine2, C1$7stosine2 and T 1t+7mine2. T+e order in +i$+ t+e o r

%ases appear in an indi id a!8s #NA determines +is or +erp+7si$a! ma>e p. And sin$e #NA is a do %!e strandedmo!e$ !e, it is $omposed o t o spe$i i$ paired %ases, A-Tor T-A and 9-C or C-9. T+ese are $a!!ed J"enes.K


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E er7 gene +as a $ertain n m%er o t+e a%o e%ase pairs distri% ted in a parti$ !ar se? en$e. T+is "i esa person +is or +er "eneti$ $ode. Some +ere in t+e #NA

rame or>, nonet+e!ess, are se$tions t+at di er. T+e7

are >no n as J pol morp!ic loci ,K +i$+ are t+e areasana!7=ed in #NA t7pin" 1pro i!in", tests,

in"erprintin"2. In ot+er ords, #NA t7pin" simp!7 meansdeterminin" t+e J pol morp!ic loci. K

Ho is #NA t7pin" per ormed Brom a #NAsamp!e o%tained or e*tra$ted, a mo!e$ !ar %io!o"ist ma7

pro$eed to ana!7=e it in se era! a7s. T+ere are i e 102te$+ni? es to $ond $t #NA t7pin". T+e7are: t+e "#$% 1restriction fragment lengt!

pol morp!ism 2G Jreverse dot blot K or HDA #L a Pm !o$i+i$+ as sed in ( ' $ases t+at ere admitted as

e iden$e %7 5' $o rts in t+e U.S. as o No em%er &@@/G#NA pro$essG NTR 1 aria%!e n m%er tandem repeats2Gand t+e most re$ent +i$+ is >no n as t+e PCR-13po!7merase4 $+ain rea$tion2 %ased STR 1s+ort tandem

repeats2 met+od +i$+, as o &@@6, as a ai!ed o %7most orensi$ !a%oratories in t+e or!d. PCR is t+epro$ess o rep!i$atin" or $op7in" #NA in an e iden$esamp!e a mi!!ion times t+ro "+ repeated $7$!in" o area$tion in o! in" t+e so-$a!!ed #NA po!7meri=een=7me. S&" , on t+e ot+er +and, ta>es meas rements in&5 separate p!a$es and $an mat$+ t o 1(2 samp!es it+ areported t+eoreti$a! error rate o !ess t+an one 1&2 in a

tri!!ion.

; st !i>e in in"erprint ana!7sis, in #NA t7pin",J matc!es K are determined. To i!! strate, +en #NA or

in"erprint tests are done to identi 7 a s spe$t in a


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$rimina! $ase, t+e e iden$e $o!!e$ted rom t+e $rimes$ene is $ompared it+ t+e J 'no(n K print. I as %stantia! amo nt o t+e identi 7in" eat res are t+esame, t+e #NA or in"erprint is deemed to %e a

mat$+. t t+en, e en i on!7 one eat re o t+e #NA orin"erprint is di erent, it is deemed not to +a e $omerom t+e s spe$t.

As ear!ier stated, $ertain re"ions o + man #NAs+o ariations %et een peop!e. In ea$+ o t+esere"ions, a person possesses t o "eneti$ t7pes $a!!ed

J allele) K one in+erited rom ea$+ parent. In 3a4 paternit7test, t+e orensi$ s$ientist !oo>s at a n m%er o t+esearia%!e re"ions in an indi id a! to prod $e a #NA

pro i!e. Comparin" ne*t t+e #NA pro i!es o t+e mot+erand $+i!d, it is possi%!e to determine +i$+ +a! o t+e$+i!d8s #NA as in+erited rom t+e mot+er. T+e ot+er+a! m st +a e %een in+erited rom t+e %io!o"i$a!

at+er. T+e a!!e"ed at+er8s pro i!e is t+en e*amined toas$ertain +et+er +e +as t+e #NA t7pes in +is pro i!e,

+i$+ mat$+ t+e paterna! t7pes in t+e $+i!d. I t+e man8s#NA t7pes do not mat$+ t+at o t+e $+i!d, t+e man ise*$! ded as t+e at+er. I t+e #NA t7pes mat$+, t+en +eis not e*$! ded as t+e at+er. 3(64

In t+e ne !7 prom !"ated r !es on #NA e iden$e it ispro ided:

SEC. 5 Definition of &erms. * Bor p rposes o t+isR !e, t+e o!!o in" terms s+a!! %e de ined as o!!o s:


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* * * *

1$2 J#NA e iden$eK $onstit tes t+e tota!it7 o t+e#NA pro i!es, res !ts and ot+er "eneti$ in ormationdire$t!7 "enerated rom #NA testin" o %io!o"i$a!samp!esG

1d2 J#NA pro i!eK means "eneti$ in ormation deri edrom #NA testin" o a %io!o"i$a! samp!e o%tainedrom a person, +i$+ %io!o"i$a! samp!e is $!ear!7

identi ia%!e as ori"inatin" rom t+at personG

1e2 J#NA testin"K means eri ied and $redi%!es$ienti i$ met+ods +i$+ in$! de t+e e*tra$tion o#NA rom %io!o"i$a! samp!es, t+e "eneration o #NApro i!es and t+e $omparison o t+e in ormation

o%tained rom t+e #NA testin" o %io!o"i$a! samp!esor t+e p rpose o determinin", it+ reasona%!e

$ertaint7, +et+er or not t+e #NA o%tained rom t oor more distin$t %io!o"i$a! samp!es ori"inates romt+e same person 1dire$t identi i$ation2 or i t+e%io!o"i$a! samp!es ori"inate rom re!ated persons1>ins+ip ana!7sis2G and

1 2 JPro%a%i!it7 o Parenta"eK means t+e n meri$a!estimate or t+e !i>e!i+ood o parenta"e o a p tati eparent $ompared it+ t+e pro%a%i!it7 o a randommat$+ o t o nre!ated indi id a!s in a "i enpop !ation.


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Amidst t+e protestation o petitioner a"ainst t+e #NAana!7sis, t+e reso! tion t+ereo ma7 pro ide t+e de initi e >e7 tot+e reso! tion o t+e iss e o s pport or minor ;oanne. O rarti$ !ation in Agustin v. Court of Appeals ' )* is parti$ !ar!7re!e ant, t+ s:

O r ait+ in #NA testin", +o e er, as not ? iteso stead ast in t+e pre io s de$ade. In %e $im v. Court of

Appeals 1556 P+i!. '/&, (') SCRA &2 ) prom !"ated in&@@', e $a tioned a"ainst t+e se o #NA %e$a seJ#NA, %ein" a re!ati e!7 ne s$ien$e, 1+ad2 not as 7et%een a$$orded o i$ia! re$o"nition %7 o r$o rts. Paternit7 1 o !d2 sti!! +a e to %e reso! ed %7 s $+$on entiona! e iden$e as t+e re!e ant in$riminatin"a$ts, er%a! and ritten, %7 t+e p tati e at+er.K

In ())&, +o e er, e opened t+e possi%i!it7 oadmittin" #NA as e iden$e o parenta"e, as en n$iatedin &i+ing v. Court of Appeals 39.R. No. &(0@)&, Mar$+())&, 50/ SCRA &'4:

* * * Parenta"e i!! sti!! %e reso! ed sin"$on entiona! met+ods n!ess e adopt t+e

modern and s$ienti i$ a7sa ai!a%!e. Bort nate!7, e +a e no t+e

a$i!it7 and e*pertise in sin" #NA test oridenti i$ation and parenta"e testin". T+eUni ersit7 o t+e P+i!ippines Nat ra! S$ien$eResear$+ Instit te 1UP-NSRI2 #NA Ana!7sis


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Da%orator7 +as no t+e $apa%i!it7 to $ond $t#NA t7pin" sin" s+ort tandem repeat 1STR2ana!7sis. T+e ana!7sis is %ased on t+e a$t t+att+e #NA o a $+i!d person +as t o 1(2 $opies,

one $op7 rom t+e mot+er and t+e ot+er romt+e at+er. T+e #NA rom t+e mot+er, t+ea!!e"ed at+er and $+i!d are ana!7=ed toesta%!is+ parenta"e. O $o rse, %ein" a no e!s$ienti i$ te$+ni? e, t+e se o #NA test ase iden$e is sti!! open to $+a!!en"e. E ent a!!7,as t+e appropriate $ase $omes, $o rts s+o !dnot +esitate to r !e on t+e admissi%i!it7 o #NAe iden$e. Bor it as said, t+at $o rts s+o !dapp!7 t+e res !ts o s$ien$e +en $ompetent!7o%tained in aid o sit ations presented, sin$e tore o e iden$e %e$a se Jdo %tspersist1ed2 in o r mind as to +o 1 ere2 t+e rea!


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ma!e a$tors. Yes, a $omp!e* o ense 1+ad2 %eenperpetrated % t +o 1 ere2 t+e perpetrators Ho e

is+ e +ad #NA or ot+er s$ienti i$ e iden$e to sti!! o rdo %ts.K

In ())/, in &ecson) et al. v. CO-E$EC 39.R. Nos.&6&/5/, &6&65/ and &6& (/, 5 Mar$+ ())/, /(/ SCRA(''4 ) +ere t+e Co rt en banc as a$ed it+ t+e iss e o

i!iation o t+en presidentia! $andidate Bernando Poe, ;r.,e stated:

In $ase proo o i!iation or paternit7 o !d%e n!i>e!7 to satis a$tori!7 esta%!is+ or o !d%e di i$ !t to o%tain, #NA testin", +i$+e*amines "eneti$ $odes o%tained rom %od7$e!!s o t+e i!!e"itimate $+i!d and an7 p+7si$a!resid e o t+e !on" dead parent $o !d %eresorted to. A positi e mat$+ o !d $!ear p

i!iation or paternit7. In &i+ing v. Court of Appeals) t+is Co rt +as a$>no !ed"ed t+estron" ei"+t o #NA testin"...

Moreo er, in o r en banc de$isionin %eople v. atar 39.R. No. &0)((/, &@ Ma7())/, /( SCRA 0)/4, e a irmed t+e$on i$tion o t+e a$$ sed or rape it+

+omi$ide, t+e prin$ipa! e iden$e or +i$+in$! ded #NA test res !ts. * * *.


102/113


103/113

1d2 T+e #NA testin" +as t+e s$ienti i$ potentia! toprod $e ne in ormation t+at is re!e ant to t+eproper reso! tion o t+e $aseG and

1e2 T+e e*isten$e o ot+er a$tors, i an7, +i$+ t+e$o rt ma7 $onsider as potentia!!7 a e$tin" t+ea$$ ra$7 or inte"rit7 o t+e #NA testin".

Brom t+e ore"oin", it $an %e said t+at t+e deat+ o t+epetitioner does not ipso facto ne"ate t+e app!i$ation o #NAtestin" or as !on" as t+ere e*ist appropriate %io!o"i$a! samp!es o+is #NA.

As de ined a%o e, t+e term J%io!o"i$a! samp!eK means an7

or"ani$ materia! ori"inatin" rom a person8s %od7, e en i o nd ininanimate o%


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And e en t+e deat+ o Ro"e!io $annot %ar t+e $ond $t o#NA testin". In %eople v. /manito ,35)4 $itin" &ecson v.Commission on Elections) '+ * t+is Co rt +e!d:

T+e ())/ $ase o &ecson v. Commission on

Elections 39.R. No. &6&/5/, 5 Mar$+ ())/, /(/ SCRA (''4!i>e ise reiterated t+e a$$eptan$e o #NA testin" in o r

< risdi$tion in t+is ise: J3i4n $ase proo o i!iation orpaternit7 o !d %e n!i>e!7 to satis a$tori!7 esta%!is+ or

o !d %e di i$ !t to o%tain, #NA testin", +i$+ e*amines"eneti$ $odes o%tained rom %od7 $e!!s o t+e i!!e"itimate

$+i!d and any physical residue of the long deadparent could e resorted t o.K

It is o% io s to t+e Co rt t+at t+e determination o+et+er appe!!ant is t+e at+er o AAA8s $+i!d, +i$+ ma7

%e a$$omp!is+ed t+ro "+ #NA testin", is materia! to t+eair and $orre$t ad< di$ation o t+e instant appea!. Under

Se$tion / o t+e R !es, t+e $o rts are a t+ori=ed, a terd e +earin" and noti$e, motu proprio to order a #NAtestin". Ho e er, +i!e t+is Co rt retains < risdi$tiono er t+e $ase at %ar, $apa$itated as it is to re$ei e anda$t on t+e matter in $ontro ers7, t+e S preme Co rt isnot a trier o a$ts and does not, in t+e $o rse o dai!7ro tine, $ond $t +earin"s. Hen$e, it o !d %e moreappropriate t+at t+e $ase %e remanded to t+e RTC orre$eption o e iden$e in appropriate +earin"s, it+ d e

noti$e to t+e parties. 1Emp+asis s pp!ied.2
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/december2007/171713.htm#_ftn30http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/december2007/171713.htm#_ftn31http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/december2007/171713.htm#_ftn30http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/december2007/171713.htm#_ftn31


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As e +a e de$!ared in t+e said $ase o Agustin v. Court of Appeals 35(4 :

* * * 3B4or too !on", i!!e"itimate $+i!dren +a e %eenmar"ina!i=ed %7 at+ers +o $+oose to den7 t+eire*isten$e. T+e "ro in" sop+isti$ation o #NA testin"te$+no!o"7 ina!!7 pro ides a m $+ needed e? a!i=er ors $+ ostra$i=ed and a%andoned pro"en7. Fe +a e !on"%e!ie ed in t+e merits o #NA testin" and +a e repeated!7e*pressed as m $+ in t+e past. T+is $ase $omes at aper e$t time +en #NA testin" +as ina!!7 e o! ed into a

dependa%!e and a t+oritati e orm o e iden$e"at+erin". Fe t+ere ore ta>e t+is opport nit7 toor$e !!7 reiterate o r stand t+at #NA testin" is a a!id

means o determinin" paternit7.

; o

merit. T+e #e$ision o t+e Co rt o Appea!s dated (5 No em%er())0 and its Reso! tion dated & Mar$+())6are A**IR=ED . Costs a"ainst petitioner.

+% %RDERED'

>INITA V/ C8ICO-NA ARIOAsso$iate ; sti$e


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Repu.li% of the 2hilippinesSUPRE!E COURT

anila

FN 6ANC

G.R. No. 15022+ ! 3 1;, 200+

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES & appellee&!s/JOEL #ATAR (' /


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#oor of the it%hen to ha!e a #rin of water/ Anita as e# appellant what he was #oin there& an# hereplie# that he was ettin lu'.er to .rin to the house of his 'other/ 9

At 1*G+7 p/'/& while =u#il"n was on her wa" ho'e fro' Na .ita"an& she saw appellant #es%en# thela##er fro' the se%on# floor of the house of Isa.el Dawan an# run towar#s the .a% of thehouse/ 8 She later noti%e# appellant& who was wearin a white shirt with %ollar an# .la% pants&

pa%in .a% an# forth at the .a% of the house/ She #i# not fin# this unusual as appellant an# hiswife use# to li!e in the house of Isa.el Dawan / E

At 1G+7 p/'/& =u#il"n a ain saw appellant when he %al

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