Sotto files bill for Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority

Senate Minority Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III has filed a bill proposing the creation of the Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority to enhance the government's fight against illegal narcotics and drug abuse.

The proposed measure, known as the Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority Act, seeks to amend Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Sotto stated that the current law needs updating after 23 years of implementation.

Under his proposal, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) would be dissolved.

The bill outlines five bureaus within the new authority: Anti-Drug Enforcement, Anti-Drug Prosecution, Anti-Drug Prevention, Anti-Drug Rehabilitation, and Anti-Drug Policy Formulation, Guidelines and Procedure.

Existing powers of the PDEA will be transferred to various law enforcement agencies under the Office of the President, with a secretary appointed by the president to oversee the agency's operations.

Funding for the new authority would come from the current budget allocated to the PDEA and DDB.