REVILLA TO FILE BILL GRANTING PDEA PROSECUTORIAL POWERS

To arrest the worsening row and finger-pointing between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Senator Bong Revilla disclosed that he will file a bill that would vest the PDEA with prosecutorial powers to expedite the investigation and filing of cases related to illegal drugs.

According to the senator, there is a need to create a team within the PDEA which would focus on taking legal action against illegal drug suspects.

"The growing problem of illegal drugs is peculiar and I believe that it should be given special attention and greater scrutiny, thus the creation of a focused team tasked solely for the purpose is necessary," he said.

Under the bill that Revilla will be filing, a Special Prosecutorial Office shall be established within the PDEA that will be empowered to directly prosecute offenders involved in "no-bail" drug cases.

Revilla explained that at present, the PDEA can merely cause the filing of appropriate criminal and civil cases for violation of all laws on illegal drugs and the prosecution of these cases remains with the DOJ, as provided for in Republic Act 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act. "I believe the DOJ is doing its best to resolve all the cases submitted to it with only the best of intentions and in the soonest possible time, but, the DOJ's hands are very full. It is in this light that we would like to unburden the DOJ," he clarified.

Revilla stressed that if the PDEA will be granted prosecutorial powers, it will have sole accountability in the determination of filing of drug cases and this will avoid finger pointing as what is happening at present in the so-called "Alabang Boys" case.

He said that while accusations of bribery should be examined and bear results, the squabble should not affect the government campaign against illegal drugs. "They are supposed to solve the drug problem, not be the part of the problem," Revilla pointed out.

The lawmaker expressed apprehension that the drug problem in the country will further worsen if the word war between the DOJ and PDEA continues."There is no reason for the DOJ and the PDEA to be at each other's throats. I believe that drug money and big-time drug lords are fuelling this controversy to their benefit. As concerned agencies engage in verbal fighting and buck passing, only the drug syndicates are meriting," Revilla added.