MIKEY: I'M NOT FOR LEGAL MARIJUANA

PRESIDENTIAL son and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo yesterday
declared that he was strongly against illegal drugs as he denied that he
was in favor of legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes.

In a statement, Arroyo clarified that his remarks during Wednesday's
deliberations on the budget of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
clearly indicated his strong opposition to all illegal drugs, including
marijuana.

"Personally, I've always been and will continue to be against the use of
drugs in all its forms, as this is a major destroyer of our people's lives
and of our society," he said.

Arroyo added he would like to put on record that he was against the
legalization in any form of marijuana, adding that what he said was that
the House of Representatives can consider a proposal to legalize marijuana
for medical use.

The solon said he recalls telling Liberal Party Rep. Solomon Chungalao, "If
it's genuinely for medical purposes and it is controlled strictly or
regulated, maybe we can consider that idea."

Chungalao earlier asked Arroyo to sponsor his bill which would make
marijuana use legal in the country.

Arroyo said that while he expressed willingness to consider the bill of
Chungalao, the measure would have to be studied by authorities in the
medical, law enforcement and sociological fields.

"It's up to the experts to give their views on this, considering other
countries have legalized marijuana in some shape or form. But unless the
arguments for it are compelling, I am against this," he said.