Dela Rosa eyes graver penalties for leaking of gov't classified docs

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa is eyeing graver penalties for individuals who will leak government's classified documents either by crafting a new law or amending existing laws.

The former PNP chief and now senator raised this as he noted that the current laws against leakage of documents appear to be useless.

"Parang hindi naramdaman 'yang batas na 'yan. Hindi nagagamit. Hindi kinakatakutan. So i-emphasize natin, tingnan natin kung pwede ba nating i-amend, dagdagan natin 'yung penalty, graver penalty or gagawa talaga tayo ng panibagong batas that will solely address that, para matakot itong mga tao na walang pakundangang nagli-leak ng mga classified document," Dela Rosa said in a television interview.

Currently, Dela Rosa said this offense can only be penalized under Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

"The end goal is that we can formulate a policy legislation that will fill the gap. Anong gap ang meron tayo ngayon? 'Yung mga leakage na nangyayari, kaya kailangan i-address natin 'yan," the Mindanaoan lawmaker said.

"Paano na lang kung 'yung ating mga security classified documents na mga top secret ay napupunta na sa China o napupunta na sa mga kalaban natin? Ano na ang mangyari sa Pilipinas? Wala na. Wasak ang Pilipinas pagka ganon. So kailangan talaga nating aksyunan 'yan through legislation," Dela Rosa stressed.

The former top cop is leading the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee investigation into the leaked documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The Senate committee is set to continue its investigation on May 13.