PALACE DOWNPLAYS ARROYO SON'S VIEW ON LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo distanced herself from the proposal of
his son, Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, to legalize
marijuana in the country, saying it was an opinion expressed by the younger
Arroyo as a legislator.

"Congressman Arroyo has expressed an independent view, which must be
considered and respected like all views expressed in democratic debate,"
the President's spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, said in a statement.

Bunye said the President respected his son's right to express his views and
that this should be debated at the House of Representatives.

"More than anybody else, the President respects his (Arroyo's) independence
and his right to speak his own mind," he added.

The congressman said on Thursday that he was supporting a proposal to relax
the country's tough laws on marijuana and even have cannabis planted in the
world-famous Banaue rice terraces.

"If it is strictly regulated and for medicinal purposes, then if you would
allow me the privilege of co-sponsoring your bill, of course, it will be an
honor and a privilege to work with you, sir," Arroyo said in response to a
query by Liberal Party Representative Solomon Chungalao of Ifugao, where
centuries-old rice terraces coexist with marijuana plantations.

Under Republic Act No. 9165 however the death penalty is meted on a person
found guilty of possessing 500 grams or more of marijuana; life
imprisonment for five to 499 grams; and 12 years for less than five grams.

The President said she was determined to crack down on drug traffickers in
the country. It was under her term when Congress passed the revised
Anti-Drug law, which revitalized the Dangerous Drugs Board. The DDB is
responsible for going after drug syndicates.