Enrile hits PDEA for drug problem

MANILA, Philippines - After an absence of some two weeks due to dengue and prostate problems, Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile was in fighting form yesterday upon his return to work at the Senate.

Enrile took to task Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac over the rampant drug problem in the country. 

“Usec. Cacdac, what is happening to the drug problem of the country? It’s all over the country. What is your office doing about it? How do you justify your existence?” said Enrile as he joined Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, chairman of the Senate finance subcommittee that looked into the proposed P1.004-billion PDEA budget for 2016.

As Cacdac started to respond to Enrile’s query, the senator lambasted the former police general by threatening to slash the PDEA’s budget.

“The strategy is formulated by the DDB (Dangerous Drugs Board), number one is the supply-reduction and demand reduction,” Cacdac said.

“To me, I am going out of politics at wala akong si-sinohin dito. If you do not perform, we will cut your budget, mercilessly,” Enrile said.

Enrile also told the PDEA chief to shape up.

“You better perform better. Tell us when you defend your budget on the floor, what is your program,” he said.

“Even if it’s approved by the President, if you do not perform, that’s meaningless to me. The President cannot function without the underlings,” Enrile added.

Interviewed after the budget hearing, Enrile said he was also ready to tackle the Bangsamoro Basic Law amendments. 

However, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was absent in the plenary yesterday, apparently because he is still deep in consultation with his allies regarding his political plans for 2016.

“I finished the 87 sections already of the bill, Senate Bill No. 2894. I have more than 115 sections yet to cover,” Enrile said, referring to the BBL.