Sotto calls for creation of Duterte-led ‘super body’ to fight drugs

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III proposed on Wednesday an amendatory bill that seeks to upgrade the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) into a "super body" which will be named Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority.

Noting that President-elect Rodrigo Duterte prioritizes the crackdown on illegal drugs, Sotto's proposed body will be led by Duterte himself.

He said the chief of the presidential drug agency will be upgraded to Cabinet rank with four under secretaries to supervise four approaches against illegal drugs.

These four approach are enforcement, prosecution, prevention or preventive education, and rehabilitation. Sotto said this formula is also being used by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

"[The] four-way approach... will definitely handle supply reduction which is the illegal drugs, and the demand reduction which is drug abuse," Sotto said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

Sotto wants to upgrade Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which he authored to institute the PDEA.

"The intent of the Bill 9165 was to put all together the four major concerns in handling the problem of illegal drugs and drug abuses. These are two different animals," the senator said.

The senator said the PDEA needs a revamp as it overlaps in function with the Department of Justice, which acts on the illegal drug cases. Through his bill, the PDEA will now be given power of supervision and control over enforcement, prosecution, prevention and rehabilitation.

"Hindi na magbabangga-bangga yan," Sotto said.

Saying that the new PDEA shall coordinate with the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation, Sotto is confident Duterte will agree with the proposed reforms.

"Duterte will be best person to handle that [Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority]… once he reads it and finds out the content, I'm so sure [he will approve it]," Sotto said.