The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, chaired by Senator Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito, jointly with the Committees on Health and Demography; Justice and Human Rights; Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation; Local Government; and Finance, conducted a public hearing on the proposed bills amending Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, including Senate Bill No. 190 on the proposed creation of a Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority and related institutional and enforcement reforms.
As part of the continuing legislative process following earlier technical discussions in the House of Representatives, the Senate hearing provided an opportunity for concerned agencies to articulate their institutional positions and respond to queries on the legal and structural implications of the proposed amendments.
The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), in the exercise of its mandate as the country’s lead policy-making and strategy-formulating body on drug abuse prevention and control, participated as a resource agency through Deputy Executive Director for Operations – Assistant Secretary Ferdaussi Masnar.
During the consultation, Assistant Secretary Masnar articulated the Board’s policy position on key institutional and legal considerations raised during the hearing.
The DDB conveyed its support for amendments to Section 15 of RA 9165 to more clearly embed a health-centered framework in addressing persons who use drugs, emphasizing treatment, rehabilitation, and structured recovery pathways within the justice and health systems.
The Board likewise recommended refinements to Section 54 on voluntary submission for confinement, treatment, and rehabilitation, particularly the removal of the court-order requirement and replacing it with an affidavitof undertaking to facilitate more efficient admission to treatment facilities while preserving appropriate safeguards and documentation.
In its intervention, the DDB underscored that proposed amendments should reinforce policy clarity, delineate institutional responsibilities, and align with the Enhanced Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (E-PADS), which integrates Drug Demand Reduction, Drug Supply Reduction, and the Health, Social, and Developmental Services pillar to ensure a coherent and implementable national framework.
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