Quezon City 1st district Rep. Arjo Atayde is seeking hefty penalties against individuals who are caught smuggling illegal drugs and other contraband inside a jail.

The actor-turned-congressman filed House Bill (HB) No.4061, or the proposed Act penalizing any person providing or possessing contraband and those who shall aid or abet the introduction of the same inside any prison facility administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ), providing penalties therefore and for other purposes.

“A stiff penalty is required in this circumstance in order to instill fear and be an effective deterrence to those contemplating doing this crime in the future," Atayde said in the explanatory note of his measure.

"More importantly, the said penalty applies as well to government officials or employees who cooperate or co-opt with the inmate or other private persons involved therein,” added the fiance of popular showbiz personality Maine Mendoza.

Under the bill, which is pending before the House Committee on Justice, persons who will smuggle or attempt to smuggle dangerous drugs, alcoholic or intoxicating beverages, firearms, ammunition and weapon, cellphone, or any device used for purposes of communicating with the outside world and money in any currency will be meted imprisonment ranging from 20 to 40 years.

The punishment will include a fine of P10 million.

Meanwhile, inmates who will receive or try to receive the prohibited items will be meted the same penalty in addition to his previous sentence. For those who will assist, aid, or abet in the procurement of prohibited objects, the penalty will be 12 to 20 years of jail time, plus a fine of P5 million.

If the prohibited object or contraband involved is other than those mentioned, the penalty will be imprisonment of six to 12 years and a fine of P1 million.

If the offender is a public official, an additional penalty of absolute perpetual disqualification from holding public office and the forfeiture of all retirement benefits and accrued leave credits will be imposed.