House bill to penalize negligent LGU execs

MANILA, Philippines - Local government executives – from provincial governors, town and city mayors to barangay officials – will be administratively liable for shabu laboratories that operate in their areas, if a bill proposed by Rep. Robert Ace Barbers is approved.

“We have to require barangay officials and mayors in the campaign against illegal drugs to detect, monitor and report to authorities persons suspected of maintaining or operating a shabu lab in their area,” Barbers said.

He added that “it would be considered grave neglect of duty if (local officials) fail to report to authorities” on the existence of shabu laboratories.

The Surigao del Norte congressman also insisted on the “imposition of strict sanctions or penalties against owners of condominium units, houses, warehouses who feign ignorance on the illegal activities… of their tenants.” 

Barbers, House committee on dangerous drugs chairman, believes that legislation is needed so the local government officers and the owners of commercial spaces or establishments could not feign ignorance to avoid prosecution. 

Under his proposal, owners of commercial spaces or establishments will be required to report to the barangay the identities of their tenants, including their supposed business activities, and for these barangays to cascade the information up the government chain.