Luigi seeks to amend an already repealed law

CEBU, Philippines - Sixth District Rep. Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing has proposed the amendment of the already repealed Dangerous Drugs Act to designate a Regional Trial Court within the city or province as a special drug court.

Quisumbing authored the House Bill no. 2376 which seeks to amend Section 39, Article X of the Republic Act 6425 otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972.

The law that Quisumbing has sought to amend, however, has long been repealed with the passing of the R.A. 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act 2002.

Quisumbing wanted a special drug court shall be designated not only by a mere memorandum order from the Supreme Court but by virtue of a law passed by Congress.

Quisumbing said that the special drug court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over all cases involving offenses punishable under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 as amended.

In cases where the accused has already been arraigned, the proposed bill provides that the case shall be heard in the court where it was first raffled off until its termination.

The preliminary investigation of cases filed under the proposed bill, shall be terminated within a period of seven days from the date of its filing. If the preliminary investigation is conducted by a judge and a prima facie case is established, the corresponding information shall be filed by the proper prosecuting officer within 24 hours from the date of receipt of records of the case.

The court is mandated, under the proposed amendment, to finish the trial within 90 days from the date of the filing of information.

In filing the bill, Quisumbing said that illegal drugs and substance abuse, and its proliferation have indeed grown into socio-political menace gnawing at society’s existence.

The Philippines, he said, as shown in recent reports from different intelligence communities has become a major exporter of marijuana and transshipment point in the global traffic in illegal drugs.

“A large percentage of heinous crimes committed daily happen while under the influence of drugs. This has also prompted the enactment of the law providing for death penalty for heinous crimes,” he added.

The Sixth district lawmaker said that there is a need now to create and establish a special drug court with the end in view to facilitate and hasten the filing and disposition of drug related cases.  (THE FREEMAN)