HOUSE SEEKS HEAVY PENALTIES FOR DRUG-DEALERS

We Will Make Them Pay Dearly - Villar

An overwhelming majority of the House of Representatives endorsed yesterday
for approval a measure imposing "very heavy" penalties on violators of the
anti-narcotics laws.

Led by the committee on health chaired by Rep. Alfredo Maranon Jr. (LAMP,
Negros Occidental), the legislators sought the death penalty for persons
possessing at least 200 grams of marijuana, 10 grams or more of cocaine or
cocaine hydrochloride, and other dangerous drugs, in volumes determined to
be more than the therapeutic requirement, as promulgated by the Dangerous
Drugs Board.

If the quantity is less than the volumes prescribed for death, penalties are
to be graduated from a month in jail and a fine of P50,000 to life
imprisonment and a maximum fine of P500,000.

Death is to be meted out on drug pushers using miners as runners, couriers,
messengers, or in similar capacity connected with dangerous drugs and their
preparation for sale in the open and underground markets.

Persons maintaining a den, dive, or resort where narcotics are used in any
form are to be put to death, declared the legislators.

Speaker Manuel B. Villar directed the committee on health to endorse the
approved measure to the committee on appropriations for proper funding,
leading to its passage into law.

"We will make drug lords, dealers, and pushers pay dearly for their criminal
acts," declared Villar.

Maranon said no less than the supreme penalty must be imposed on these
persons "for ruining the future of the youth and destabilizing the nation."

He praised the measure's principal authors "for their courage and diligence
in seeing the bill sail through the chamber."

Other principal authors included Reps. Michael Defense (LP, Quezon City),
Roilo Golez (Lamp, Paranaque), Narciso Monfort (Lamp, Iloilo), Heherson
Alvarez (Lakas, Isabela), Dante Liban (Lamp, Quezon City), Efren Herrera
(Cebu), and Apolinario Lozada, Jr. (Negros Occidental).

Other proposed provisions of the law:

No person is to be issued a driver's license without first presenting a
certification he has passed a drug test or shows he is free from drugs.

Licensed drivers are to be required to undergo periodic drug tests to ensure
they are fit to be behind the steering wheel.

A driver found positive is to be suspended until he has recovered, and a
person found committing a second violation forfeits his license and cannot
reapply for a new one.

Forensic laboratories of the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of
Investigation, the Dangerous Drugs Board or any laboratory accredited by the
government are authorized to administer a drug test.

Mandatory drug tests are to be administered on applicants for permits to
carry firearms. Those issued gun permits are to undergo quarterly drug
testing. Positive test results will mean automatic cancellation of the
firearms permit.

Persons applying for employment in any and all work sites here and abroad
and for military service are required to pass a mandatory drug test.

The measure, to be known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1999, also provides
for rehabilitation and treatment programs of drug dependents.

Legislators took note of the difference between drug users considered
victims, on one hand, and drug pushers, dealers, and manufacturers, on the
other, who are meted out the heaviest penalties.