Senator Sotto's maiden privilege speech (September 28, 1992) - Part 2
Senator Vicente Sotto III, the grandson and namesake of Don Vicente Yap Sotto, together with the late senator Boy Herrera championed the war against illegal drugs, they were the voices in wilderness, their calls ignored, now we are suffering the consequences of the nation' stubbornness. Here is an excerpt of his speech detailing what should have been implemented, but many ignored. Here is the action plan told 25 years ago:
"Let me therefore enumerate the major components of my proposed National Drug Control strategy for consideration by the Executive and Legislative branches of the government:
"1. There must be a concerted effort by the parents to prevent a breakdown of family life. No amount of material success can compensate for the failure in our own homes. The family is the best fighting unit in the struggle against drug abuse. The traditional Filipino family must provide an emotional and psychological anchor for all its members, especially the youth. Give me a drug-free family and I will give you a drug-free nation.
"2. Everyone should be involved. Every organization must take a stand against drugs. We must mobilize all our people, our communities, churches, youth organizations, media, schools and workplaces to join hands in combating this menace. The family cannot do it alone. It needs the help of everyone.
"3. There must be a Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council to be headed by the Barangay Chairman or Vice Chairman with the head of the Pangkabataang Barangay and the Barangay Tanods as members. The illegal drug-traffic organization has seeped down to the barangay level, so we must confront them there organizationally too. For this purpose, I have filed a bill establishing the Office of Drug Abuse Action Officer in the local government structures.
"4. There must be a massive information campaign on the evils of drug abuse all over the country. Local government units must be tasked to set aside sufficient resources so that seminars could be conducted on a sustained basis in this fight. Media outlets and public relations practitioners must assist in this drive. A well-informed citizenry will reduce the demand for illicit drugs.
"5. There should be Special Drug Courts, with capacity to impose harsher and stiffer penalties as may be provided by law. In this connection, it is earnestly requested that we consider Senate Bill Nos. 33 and 157, the adjudicatory aspect in this fight against drug abuse will be hastened with the creation of Special Drug Courts and we submit this recommendation for the Supreme Court to seriously consider.
"6. We must strengthen our international networking efforts and linkages with similar anti-drug organizations in Asia and the ASEAN region…
"7. Because we face a well-trained, high-powered, and generously-financed adversary, we must elevate this concern against drug abuse to the highest political level possible, the Office of the President. As such I propose the creation and integration of all drug-related offices and agencies..."
- Latest
