PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. RUFINO UMANITO, Appellant.

Facts: appellant was charged with the crime of rape. Regional Trial Court found Rufino
Umanito (appellant) guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape. Ca affirmed the
judgment. In his appeal, appellant seeks his acquittal on reasonable doubt by reason of
the questionable credibility of AAA with respect to her varying allegations. SC remanded
to the RTC for reception of DNA evidence in accordance with the terms of this Resolution.
The RTC is further directed to report to the Court the results of the proceedings below
within sixty (60) days from receipt hereof.
Issue:

What are the rules on DNA Testing?

Held: The Rule shall not preclude a DNA testing, without need of a prior court order, at
the behest of any party, including law enforcement agencies, before a suit or proceeding
is commenced. If the case is remanded to the RTC for receiving evidence to the DNA test
result the hearing should be confined to ascertaining the feasibility of DNA testing with
due regard to the standards set in Section 4 (a), (b), (c) and (e) of the Rules. It is the
RTC which shall determine the institution36 to undertake the DNA testing and the parties
are free to manifest their comments on the choice of DNA testing center. After the DNA
analysis is obtained, it shall be incumbent upon the parties who wish to avail of the same
to offer the results in accordance with the rules of evidence.