Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (left), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Facebook)

By ELLSON QUISMORIO

Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers is hoping that President Marcos would certify as urgent the measure seeking to amend the Republic Act (RA) No.9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. 

This, as Barbers bared that the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs has seriousy embarked on a thorough review of ths two-decade-old law to conform and effectively implement the Marcos administration's new policy on the continuing battle against illegal drugs. 

“Through the able leadership of Speaker [Martin] Romualdez and the staunch commitment of President BBM (Bongbong Marcos), we see a stronger and better chance to turn the tide towards freedom from illegal drugs and give hope and brighter future to our people, saving society from the menace that has ended so many dreams, lives and families,” said Barbers, chairman of the committee. 

For better or worse, the Marcos administration inherited the aggressive drug war of former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

The current administration has since shown that it can carry out huge drug busts while scaling back on the bloodshed. 

Among the amendments being proposed are the adoption of legal presumptions that will make RA No.9165 more effective in fighting, prosecuting and convicting illegal drug manufacturers, importers, coddlers and financiers. 

Barbers said the proposed amendments are seen to cripple the supply side and deter sources of illegal drugs from doing business in the country. Unfortunately, no similar or counterpart bill has ever been adopted in the Senate. 

He says the proposed amendments are not in conflict with the current administration’s thrust of adopting a new face in the drug war. 

"Tightening the supply side of the drug trade puts emphasis on the objective of making illegal drugs unavailable or very hard to obtain, thus freeing the victim user from dependence, which is the ideal result," Barbers said. 

On the demand side, amendments are in place toward a more comprehensive rehabilitation of victim users, he noted. 

More rehabilitation facilities are being proposed as well as a more active campaign starting in the grassroots through the barangay anti-drug councils. Bigger allocations for anti-illegal drug education and activities are also an integral part of the proposed amendments. 

Barbers says the House of Representatives under Speaker Romualdez has taken a proactive role in supporting the administration’s BIDA program, which is aimed at curbing drug dependence through education, rehabilitation and job creation in preparation for the reintegration to society of the rehabilitated victims.