Sotto: Presidential drug agency creation an ‘upgrade’ in fight vs illegal drugs

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto lll. Photo by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The creation of the proposed Presidential Drug Enforcement Agency (PRDEA) will serve as an “upgrade” in the fight against illegal drugs, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said Saturday.

“We’re practically upgrading and updating the fight against illegal drugs,” Sotto said of the proposal in a forum Saturday at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City.

The proposal stemmed from Senate Bill No. 3, which Sotto authored.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) thumbed down the proposal as it would dissolve the two agencies.

READ: PDEA, DDB oppose creation of Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority

Sotto said he would ask Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, regarding the issue.

“Apparently, hindi nila nakuha yung intention ng batas,” Sotto said. “Apparently, hindi nila binasa ng mabuti sapagkat yung Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority na gusto kong ma-create, lalo silang lalakas, at wala na silang ibang boss.”

(Apparently, they don’t get the intention of the law. Apparently, they did not read carefully that the Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority that I want to create  will strengthen them and they will not have any other boss.)

“Sa ngayon kung tutuusin, di na nila ginagawa eh yung boss nila yung DDB,” he added about the PDEA.

(As of now, they are not abiding by the orders of the DDB.)

“Kitang kita mo sa batas eh. I’m the principal author ng Republic Act 9165, that’s the creation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority, and the DDB upgrading which makes the PDEA the enforcement arm of the DDB.

(It evidently shows in the law. I’m the principal author of Republic Act 9165, that the creation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the DDB upgrading, which makes the PDEA the enforcement arm of the DDB.)

“And they should meet I think once a week. tanungin mo ang DDB, ilang beses silang nag-board meeting nung nakaraang taon? Pag nagka-tatlo sila, swerte na sa loob ng isang taon,” he added.

(And they should meet I think once a week, ask the DDB, how many times did they have a board meeting last year. If they had three, they’re lucky.)