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Dela Rosa admits having second thoughts on bill decriminalizing drug use

Philippines | National

Dela Rosa admits having second thoughts on bill decriminalizing drug use

By Hannah L. Torregoza

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said on Friday, November 25 that he is now having second thoughts about pursuing the proposed law that seeks to decriminalize the use of illegal drugs in the country.

Citing the sharp opposition of law enforcement agencies, Dela Rosa—who led the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs—said he is now rethinking his stand after hearing the arguments during the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs’ discussion on Senate Bill No. 202, which he authored.

Dela Rosa said he filed the bill out of pity for those who were arrested and seeing the outcome of having congested jails.

“Naawa tayo sa nagsisiksikan. Gusto natin ma-decongest. So napag-isipan natin na pwedeng i-decriminalize illegal drug use (We felt pity for those who are crammed in jails. So we want to decongest these jails. We thought that maybe we can decriminalize illegal drug use),” Dela Rosa said in an interview over Radio DZBB.

But law enforcement agencies are against the proposed law as it may send a wrong signal to the public that drug use is now permissible since no one would be put to jail for using it.

“Nagdadalawang-isip na rin ako (So I am now having second thoughts), being the proponent of the measure,” the senator said.

He, however, clarified he is not withdrawing his bill as it contains other meaningful proposals.

He also said he is considering the use of illegal drugs to be a mental health problem and the mantra of the anti-narcotic agencies is to save the user by rehabilitating them while drug pushers should be jailed.

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