INADEQUATE PDEA BUDGET, NEW BODY TO FOIL ANTI-DRUG DRIVE

THE reported inadequate budget allotment for the Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency (PDEA) and the planned creation of another anti-drug body will hamper
the government's war against illegal drugs, Rep. Carlos Padilla of Nueva
Vizcaya said.

Padilla, in a press briefing Sunday night, told reporters that the allotted
budget for the PDEA in this year's national budget was P140-million, of
which, only P50 million was released.

He said that the Committee on Illegal Drugs of the Lower House estimated
that the ideal budget of PDEA should be P1-billion.

Padilla said that the PDEA has 15 regional offices and the funds released
could at least pay for administrative purposes.

Supt. Eduardo Perez, PDEA director for the Cordilleras, also told reporters
that the lack of budget hampers their anti-marijuana eradications in the
remote hinterlands of four Cordillera provinces, where marijuana planting
was reportedly rampant.

Reports said that Cordillera remains as the number one source of marijuana
and supplies almost 70 percent of the total marijuana produce in the
country.

Padilla sees the PDEA as an agency working on hobbled legs since the
government fails to deliver the needed funds for its full operation.

"Paano magiging effective ang function nila as a superbody if it is not
supported," said Padilla, while further describing the agency as a tiger
with no teeth.

Reacting to the reported creation of an anti-drug junta, Padilla pointed out
that the planned creation of a new superbody, which will purportedly rid the
country of illegal drugs, is not necessary.

He stressed that if there is a body that should be at the forefront, then it
should be the PDEA, and there should be no need to create another body to be
headed by political appointees, whom he described as "recycled"
personalities.

Malaca=F1ang originally named Senator Robert Barbers to the top spot with
former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, retired policemen Lucio Margallo and
Reynaldo Jaylo to lead the anti-drug body. The four are now known as "Four
Aces."

Later, the name of Police Deputy Director General Edgardo Aglipay floated.

Brandishing a copy of Republic Act 9165, the House Minority leader said that
the government should follow the provisions of the new law, which named the
PDEA as the lead agency.

Padilla said that given the right support, the PDEA is capable of going
against drug syndicates.

"I guess that (PDEA Chief Anselmo) Avenido is more than capable of doing the
job, if given the chance, like the 'recycled' personalities Malaca=F1ang has
allegedly named as leaders in solving the drug problem," Padilla added.

"Avenido, though, is low-profile and cannot be used as a political tool,"
the solon said.