Pro-medical marijuana group thanks GMA for support
Published Dec 11, 2018 04:44 pm
By Ellson Quismorio
Patients and volunteers from the Philippine Cannabis Compassion Society (PCCS) made a poignant impression on House Speaker, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Tuesday as they pushed for the passage of the measure granting lawful access to medical marijuana.
(AP Photo/Manila Bulletin)
Around 20 PCCS members sang a Christmas carol to Arroyo during a party thrown by her office to House of Representatives reporters at the Speaker's Social Hall.
Among the carolers were Sachi Ballesteros, 11; and Julia Cunanan, 6--children with medical conditions that could be relieved a great deal with the help of the controversial plant.
Dr. Donnabel Cunanan, PCCS spokesperson, said only half of Sachi's brain is functioning while her daughter Julia suffers from cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
"We took our chance, pumasok na kami (we entered). After the event madami daw gagawin si Madam Gloria (Madam Gloria has a lot to do after this event). We grabbed the opportunity in front of media," said Cunanan, who is a dentist by profession.
She said that the caroling activity was to personally thank the Speaker for coauthoring House Bill (HB) No. 6517, or the proposed Act providing Filipinos right of access to medicinal marijuana.
Principally authored by Isabela 1st district Rep. Rodito Albano, the proposed measure to legalize marijuana has seemingly been shelved the past few months, particularly after it reached the plenary.
It should be noted that less-fortunate children are close to Speaker Arroyo. She is major backer of the Cottolengo Filipino, a facility in Rodriguez, Rizal that tends to the needs of abandoned children with special conditions, like autism.
After listening to the PCCS members' sing "Pasko Na Naman (It's Christmas again)," Arroyo approached them and advised them to take the initiative regarding those opposing the legalization of medical marijuana.
"Ang sabi po ni Speaker (According to the Speaker), we have to talk to those opposing the bill so that it would be brought back to the floor kasi natabunan (because it has been buried by other bills)," Cunanan said of her conversation with the former Chief Executive.
"We were scheduled for second and third reading but a lot of other bills were prioritized. She told us to meet with those opposing it personally so that it can be brought back to the floor," she said.
The PCCS official added of Arroyo: "We feel her support. We know in her heart ."
The 17th Congress will end in May next year, meaning there's a race against time to institutionalize medical marijuana. Cunanan said they've campaigned for five years to have local legislators pass it, while pointing to the suffering of the patients as main rallying point.
" treats a lot of symptoms. It controls seizures. For cancers patients, it alleviates pain. There are studies abroad that it's even a cure for cancer," she noted.
PCCS head researcher Jay de Leon declared that "there's absolutely no question as to medical value."
"It's been more of a medicine and that's a scientific fact. The local pharmaceutical companies are already on board, it's the multinational pharmaceutical companies that are getting in the way," De Leon said.
"The hindrance is mainly because of fear and ignorance....We want to push for this bill and we believe , the Speaker and the President would see the value ," he said.
(AP Photo/Manila Bulletin)
Around 20 PCCS members sang a Christmas carol to Arroyo during a party thrown by her office to House of Representatives reporters at the Speaker's Social Hall.
Among the carolers were Sachi Ballesteros, 11; and Julia Cunanan, 6--children with medical conditions that could be relieved a great deal with the help of the controversial plant.
Dr. Donnabel Cunanan, PCCS spokesperson, said only half of Sachi's brain is functioning while her daughter Julia suffers from cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
"We took our chance, pumasok na kami (we entered). After the event madami daw gagawin si Madam Gloria (Madam Gloria has a lot to do after this event). We grabbed the opportunity in front of media," said Cunanan, who is a dentist by profession.
She said that the caroling activity was to personally thank the Speaker for coauthoring House Bill (HB) No. 6517, or the proposed Act providing Filipinos right of access to medicinal marijuana.
Principally authored by Isabela 1st district Rep. Rodito Albano, the proposed measure to legalize marijuana has seemingly been shelved the past few months, particularly after it reached the plenary.
It should be noted that less-fortunate children are close to Speaker Arroyo. She is major backer of the Cottolengo Filipino, a facility in Rodriguez, Rizal that tends to the needs of abandoned children with special conditions, like autism.
After listening to the PCCS members' sing "Pasko Na Naman (It's Christmas again)," Arroyo approached them and advised them to take the initiative regarding those opposing the legalization of medical marijuana.
"Ang sabi po ni Speaker (According to the Speaker), we have to talk to those opposing the bill so that it would be brought back to the floor kasi natabunan (because it has been buried by other bills)," Cunanan said of her conversation with the former Chief Executive.
"We were scheduled for second and third reading but a lot of other bills were prioritized. She told us to meet with those opposing it personally so that it can be brought back to the floor," she said.
The PCCS official added of Arroyo: "We feel her support. We know in her heart ."
The 17th Congress will end in May next year, meaning there's a race against time to institutionalize medical marijuana. Cunanan said they've campaigned for five years to have local legislators pass it, while pointing to the suffering of the patients as main rallying point.
" treats a lot of symptoms. It controls seizures. For cancers patients, it alleviates pain. There are studies abroad that it's even a cure for cancer," she noted.
PCCS head researcher Jay de Leon declared that "there's absolutely no question as to medical value."
"It's been more of a medicine and that's a scientific fact. The local pharmaceutical companies are already on board, it's the multinational pharmaceutical companies that are getting in the way," De Leon said.
"The hindrance is mainly because of fear and ignorance....We want to push for this bill and we believe , the Speaker and the President would see the value ," he said.