R.A. No. 8493 and R.A. No. 9165

REPUBLIC ACT NO.
8493, February 12, 1998

AN ACT TO ENSURE A SPEEDY TRIAL OF ALL CRIMINAL CASES BEFORE THE
SANDIGANBAYAN, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT,
MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURT, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in

Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Speedy Trial Act of 1998."
SEC. 2. Mandatory Pre-Trial in Criminal Cases. – In all criminal cases cognizable by

the Municipal Trial Court, Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court,
Regional Trial Court, and the Sandiganbayan, the justice or judge shall, after
arraignment, order a pre-trial conference to consider the following:
a) Plea bargaining;
b) Stipulation of Facts;
c) Marking for identification of evidence of parties;
d) Waiver of objections to admissibility of evidence; and
e) Such other matters as will promote a fair and expeditious trial.
SEC. 3. Pre-Trial Agreement. – All agreements or admissions made or entered into

during the pre-trial conference shall be reduced to writing and signed by the accused
and counsel; otherwise the same shall not be used in evidence against the
accused. The agreements in relation to matters referred to in Section 2 hereof is
subject to the approval of the court: Provided, That the agreement on the plea of the
accused to a lesser offense may only be revised, modified, or annulled by the court
when the same is contrary to law, public morals, or public policy.
SEC. 4. Nonappearance at Pre-Trial Conference. – Where counsel for the accused or

the prosecutor does not appear at the pre-trial conference and does not offer an
acceptable excuse for his/her lack of cooperation, the pre-trial justice or judge may
impose proper sanctions or penalties.
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SEC. 5. Pre-Trial Order. – After the pre-trial conference, the court shall issue an order
reciting the actions taken, the facts stipulated, and evidence marked. Such order
shall bind the parties, limit the trial to matters not disposed of and control the course
of action during the trial, unless modified by the court to prevent manifest injustice.
SEC. 6. Time Limit for Trial. – In criminal cases involving persons charged of a crime,
except those subject to the Rules on Summary Procedure, or where the penalty
prescribed by law does not exceed six (6) months imprisonment, or a fine of One
thousand pesos (P1,000.00) or both, irrespective of other imposable penalties, the
justice or judge shall, after consultation with the public prosecutor and the counsel
for the accused, set the case for continuous trial on a weekly or other short-term trial
calendar at the earliest possible time so as to ensure speedy trial. In no case shall the
entire trial period exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from the first day of trial,
except as otherwise authorized by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court pursuant
to Section 3, Rule 22 of the Rules of Court.
SEC. 7. Time Limit Between Filing of Information and Arraignment, and Between
Arraignment and Trial. – The arraignment of an accused shall be held within thirty
(30) days from the filing of the information, or from the date the accused has
appeared before the justice, judge or court in which the charge is pending,
whichever date last occurs. Thereafter, where a plea of not guilty is entered, the
accused shall have at least fifteen (15) days to prepare for trial. Trial shall commence
within thirty (30) days from arraignment as fixed by the court.
If the accused pleads not guilty to the crime charged, he/she shall state whether
he/she interposes a negative or affirmative defense. A negative defense shall
require the prosecution to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt,
while an affirmative defense may modify the order of trial and require the accused to
prove such defense by clear and convincing evidence.
SEC. 8. Time Limit Following an Order for New Trial. – If the accused is to be tried
again following an order of a court for a new trial, the trial shall commence within
thirty (30) days from the date the order for a new trial becomes final, except that the
court retrying the case may extend such period but in any case shall not exceed one
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hundred eighty (180) days from the date the order for a new trial becomes final if
unavailability of witnesses or other factors resulting from passage of time shall make
trial within thirty (30) days impractical.
SEC. 9. Extended Time Limit. – Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7 of this

Act, for the first twelve-calendar month period following its effectivity, the time limit
with respect to the period from arraignment to trial imposed by Section 7 of this Act
shall be one hundred eighty (180) days. For the second twelve-month period the
time limit shall be one hundred twenty (120) days, and for the third twelve-month
period the time limit with respect to the period from arraignment to trial shall be
eighty (80) days.
SEC. 10. Exclusions. – The following periods of delay shall be excluded in computing
the time within which trial must commence:
a) Any period of delay resulting from other proceedings concerning the accused,
including but not limited to the following:
1) delay resulting from an examination of the accused, and hearing on his/her

mental competency, or physical incapacity;
2) delay resulting from trials with respect to charges against the accused;
3) delay resulting from interlocutory appeals;
4) delay resulting from hearings on pre-trial motions: Provided, That the delay
does not exceed thirty (30) days;
5) delay resulting from orders of inhibition, or proceedings relating to change of

venue of cases or transfer from other courts;
6) delay resulting from a finding of the existence of a valid prejudicial question;

and
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7) delay reasonably attributable to any period, not to exceed thirty (30) days,
during which any proceeding concerning the accused is actually under
advisement.
b) Any period of delay resulting from the absence or unavailability of the accused or
an essential witness.
For purposes of this subparagraph, an accused or an essential witness shall be
considered absent when his/her whereabouts are unknown, and in addition,
he/she is attempting to avoid apprehension or prosecution or his/her
whereabouts cannot be determined by due diligence. An accused or an essential
witness shall be considered unavailable whenever his/her whereabouts are
known but his/her presence for trial cannot be obtained by due diligence or
he/she resists appearing at or being returned for trial.
c) Any period of delay resulting from the fact that the accused is mentally
incompetent or physically unable to stand trial.
d) If the information is dismissed upon motion of the prosecution and thereafter a

charge is filed against the accused for the same offense, or any offense required
to be joined with that offense, any period of delay from the date the charge was
dismissed to the date the time limitation would commence to run as to the
subsequent charge had there been no previous charge.
e) A reasonable period of delay when the accused is joined for trial with a co-
accused over whom the court has not acquired jurisdiction, or as to whom the
time for trial has not run and no motion for severance has been granted.
f) Any period of delay resulting from a continuance granted by any justice or judge
motu proprio or on motion of the accused or his/her counsel or at the request of
the public prosecutor, if the justice or judge granted such continuance on the
basis of his/her findings that the ends of justice served by taking such action
outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial. No
such period of delay resulting from a continuance granted by the court in
accordance with this subparagraph shall be excludable under this section unless
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the court sets forth, in the record of the case, either orally or in writing, its
reasons for finding that the ends of justice served by the granting of such
continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and the accused in a
speedy trial.
SEC. 11. Factors for Granting Continuance. – The factors, among others, which a
justice or judge shall consider in determining whether to grant a continuance under
subparagraph (f) of Section 10 of this Act are as follows:
a) Whether the failure to grant such continuance in the proceeding would be likely
to make a continuation of such proceeding impossible, or result in a miscarriage
of justice.
b) Whether the case taken as a whole is so novel, so unusual and so complex, due
to the number of accused or the nature of the prosecution or otherwise, that it is
unreasonable to expect adequate preparation within the periods of time
established by this Act.
No continuance under subparagraph (f) of Section 10 shall be granted because of

general congestion of the court's calendar, or lack of diligent preparation or failure to
obtain available witnesses on the part of the public prosecutor.
SEC. 12. Public Attorney's Duties Where Accused is Imprisoned. – If the public
attorney knows that a person charged of a crime is preventively detained, either
because he/she is charged of a bailable crime and has no means to post bail, or is
charged of a non-bailable crime, or is serving a term of imprisonment in any penal
institution, the public attorney shall promptly:
a) Undertake to obtain the presence of the prisoner for trial, or cause a notice to be
served on the person having custody of the prisoner mandating such person to
so advise the prisoner of his/her right to demand trial.
b) Upon receipt of a notice, the person having custody of the prisoner shall
promptly advise the prisoner of the charge and of his/her right to demand
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trial. If at any time thereafter the prisoner informs the persons having custody
that he/she demands trial, such person shall cause notice to that effect to be
sent promptly to the public attorney.
c) Upon receipt of such notice, the public attorney shall promptly seek to obtain
the presence of the prisoner for trial.
d) When the person having custody of the prisoner receives from the public
attorney a properly supported request for temporary custody of the prisoner for
trial, the prisoner shall be made available to that public attorney.
SEC. 13. Remedy Where Accused is Not Brought to Trial Within the Time Limit. – If
an accused is not brought to trial within the time limit required by Section 7 of this
Act as extended by Section 9, the information shall be dismissed on motion of the
accused. The accused shall have the burden of proof of supporting such motion but
the prosecution shall have the burden of going forward with the evidence in
connection with the exclusion of time under Section 10 of this Act.
In determining whether to dismiss the case with or without prejudice, the court shall
consider, among other factors, the seriousness of the offense, the facts and
circumstances of the case which led to the dismissal, and the impact of a
reprosecution on the implementation of this Act and on the administration of
justice. Failure of the accused to move for dismissal prior to trial or entry of a plea of
guilty shall constitute a waiver of the right to dismissal under this Section.
SEC. 14. Sanctions. – In any case in which counsel for the accused, the public
prosecution or public attorney:
a) knowingly allows the case to be set for trial without disclosing the fact that a
necessary witness would be unavailable for trial;
b) files a motion solely for the purpose of delay which he/ she knows is totally
frivolous and without merit;
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c) makes a statement for the purpose of obtaining continuance which he/she
knows to be false and which is material to the granting of a continuance; or
d) otherwise willfully fails to proceed to trial without justification consistent with

the provisions of this Act, the court may, without prejudice to any appropriate
criminal and/or administrative charges to be instituted by the proper party
against the erring counsel if and when warranted, punish any such counsel or
attorney, as follows:
1) in the case of a counsel privately retained in connection with the defense of

an accused, by imposing a fine not exceeding fifty percent (50%) of the
compensation to which he/she is entitled in connection with his/her defense
of the accused;
2) by imposing on any appointed counsel de officio or public prosecutor a fine

not exceeding Ten thousand pesos (P10,000); and
3) by denying any defense counsel or public prosecutor the right to practice

before the court considering the case for a period not exceeding thirty (30)
days.
The authority to punish provided for by this section shall be in addition to any other
authority or power available to the court. The court shall follow the procedures
established in the Rules of Court in punishing any counsel or public prosecutor
pursuant to this section.
SEC. 15. Rules and Regulations. – The Supreme Court shall promulgate rules,
regulations, administrative orders and circulars which shall seek to accelerate the
disposition of criminal cases. The rules, regulations, administrative orders and
circulars formulated shall provide sanctions against justices and judges who willfully
fail to proceed to trial without justification consistent with the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 16. Funding. – For the effective implementation of the rules, regulations,
administrative orders and circulars promulgated under this Act, the amount of
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Twenty million pesos (P20,000,000) annually shall be appropriated from the
allocation of the Supreme Court under the General Appropriations Act. Thereafter,
such additional amounts as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 17. Act Not a Bar to Speedy Trial Claim Under the Constitution. – No provision
of this Act shall be interpreted as a bar to any claim of denial of speedy trial as
required by Article III, Section 14(2) of the 1987 Constitution.
SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 19. Separability Clause. – In case any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the other provisions shall remain in effect.
SEC. 20. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general
circulation: Provided, That Section 7 of this Act shall become effective after the
expiration of the aforementioned third-calendar-month period provided in Section 9
of this Act.
Approved, February 12, 1998.
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REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165, June 07, 2002
AN ACT INSTITUTING THE COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002,
REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6425, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE DANGEROUS
DRUGS ACT OF 1972, AS AMENDED, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in

Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known and cited as the "Comprehensive
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to safeguard the integrity
of its territory and the well-being of its citizenry particularly the youth, from the
harmful effects of dangerous drugs on their physical and mental well-being, and to
defend the same against acts or omissions detrimental to their development and
preservation. In view of the foregoing, the State needs to enhance further the
efficacy of the law against dangerous drugs, it being one of today's more serious
social ills.
Toward this end, the government shall pursue an intensive and unrelenting campaign
against the trafficking and use of dangerous drugs and other similar substances
through an integrated system of planning, implementation and enforcement of anti-
drug abuse policies, programs, and projects. The government shall however aim to
achieve a balance in the national drug control program so that people with legitimate
medical needs are not prevented from being treated with adequate amounts of
appropriate medications, which include the use of dangerous drugs.
It is further declared the policy of the State to provide effective mechanisms or

measures to re-integrate into society individuals who have fallen victims to drug
abuse or dangerous drug dependence through sustainable programs of treatment
and rehabilitation.
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ARTICLE I
Definition of Terms
SEC. 3. Definitions. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
a) Administer. - Any act of introducing any dangerous drug into the body of any
person, with or without his/her knowledge, by injection, inhalation, ingestion or
other means, or of committing any act of indispensable assistance to a person in
administering a dangerous drug to himself/herself unless administered by a duly
licensed practitioner for purposes of medication,
b) Board.- Refers to the Dangerous Drugs Board under Section 77, Article IX of this
Act.
c) Centers. - Any of the treatment and rehabilitation centers for drug dependents
referred to in Section 75, Article VIII of this Act.
d) Chemical Diversion. - The sale, distribution, supply or transport of legitimately

imported, in-transit, manufactured or procured controlled precursors and
essential chemicals, in diluted, mixtures or in concentrated form, to any person
or entity engaged in the manufacture of any dangerous drug, and shall include
packaging, repackaging, labeling, relabeling or concealment of such transaction
through fraud, destruction of documents, fraudulent use of permits,
misdeclaration, use of front companies or mail fraud.
e) Clandestine Laboratory. - Any facility used for the illegal manufacture of any
dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical.
f) Confirmatory Test. - An analytical test using a device, tool or equipment with a

different chemical or physical principle that is more specific which will validate
and confirm the result of the screening test.
g) Controlled Delivery. - The investigative technique of allowing an unlawful or

suspect consignment of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and
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essential chemical, equipment or paraphernalia, or property believed to be
derived directly or indirectly from any offense, to pass into, through or out of the
country under the supervision of an authorized officer, with a view to gathering
evidence to identify any person involved in any dangerous drugs related offense,
or to facilitate prosecution of that offense.
h) Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals. - Include those listed in Tables I

and II of the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances as enumerated in the attached annex, which is an
integral part of this Act.
i) Cultivate or Culture. - Any act of knowingly planting, growing, raising, or

permitting the planting, growing or raising of any plant which is the source of a
dangerous drug.
j) Dangerous Drugs. - Include those listed in the Schedules annexed to the 1961
Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and in
the Schedules annexed to the 1971 Single Convention on Psychotropic
Substances as enumerated in the attached annex which is an integral part of this
Act.
k) Deliver. - Any act of knowingly passing a dangerous drug to another, personally

or otherwise, and by any means, with or without consideration.
l) Den, Dive or Resort. - A place where any dangerous drug and/or controlled
precursor and essential chemical is administered, delivered, stored for illegal
purposes, distributed, sold or used in any form.
m) Dispense. - Any act of giving away, selling or distributing medicine or any

dangerous drug with or without the use of prescription.
n) Drug Dependence. - As based on the World Health Organization definition, it is a

cluster of physiological, behavioral and cognitive phenomena of variable
intensity, in which the use of psychoactive drug takes on a high priority thereby
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involving, among others, a strong desire or a sense of compulsion to take the
substance and the difficulties in controlling substance-taking behavior in terms of
its onset, termination, or levels of use.
o) Drug Syndicate. - Any organized group of two (2) or more persons forming or
joining together with the intention of committing any offense prescribed under
this Act.
p) Employee of Den, Dive or Resort. - The caretaker, helper, watchman, lookout, and
other persons working in the den, dive or resort, employed by the maintainer,
owner and/or operator where any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor
and essential chemical is administered, delivered, distributed, sold or used, with
or without compensation, in connection with the operation thereof.
q) Financier. - Any person who pays for, raises or supplies money for, or
underwrites any of the illegal activities prescribed under this Act.
r) Illegal Trafficking. - The illegal cultivation, culture, delivery, administration,

dispensation, manufacture, sale, trading, transportation, distribution,
importation, exportation and possession of any dangerous drug and/or
controlled precursor and essential chemical.
s) Instrument. - Any thing that is used in or intended to be used in any manner in

the commission of illegal drug trafficking or related offenses.
t) Laboratory Equipment. - The paraphernalia, apparatus, materials or appliances

when used, intended for use or designed for use in the manufacture of any
dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical, such as
reaction vessel, preparative/purifying equipment, fermentors, separatory funnel,
flask, heating mantle, gas generator, or their substitute.
u) Manufacture. - The production, preparation, compounding or processing of any

dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical, either
directly or indirectly or by extraction from substances of natural origin, or
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independently by means of chemical synthesis or by a combination of extraction
and chemical synthesis, and shall include any packaging or repackaging of such
substances, design or configuration of its form, or labeling or relabeling of its
container; except that such terms do not include the preparation, compounding,
packaging or labeling of a drug or other substances by a duly authorized
practitioner as an incident to his/her administration or dispensation of such drug
or substance in the course of his/her professional practice including research,
teaching and chemical analysis of dangerous drugs or such substances that are
not intended for sale or for any other purpose.
v) Cannabis or commonly known as "Marijuana" or "Indian Hemp" or by its any

other name. - Embraces every kind, class, genus, or specie of the plant Cannabis
sativa L. including, but not limited to, Cannabis americana, hashish, bhang, guaza,
churrus and ganjab, and embraces every kind, class and character of marijuana,
whether dried or fresh and flowering, flowering or fruiting tops, or any part or
portion of the plant and seeds thereof, and all its geographic varieties, whether
as a reefer, resin, extract, tincture or in any form whatsoever.
w) Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or commonly known as "Ecstasy", or

by its any other name. - Refers to the drug having such chemical composition,
including any of its isomers or derivatives in any form.
x) Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or commonly known as "Shabu", "Ice", "Meth",

or by its any other name. - Refers to the drug having such chemical composition,
including any of its isomers or derivatives in any form.
y) Opium. - Refers to the coagulated juice of the opium poppy (Papaver

somniferum L.) and embraces every kind, class and character of opium, whether
crude or prepared; the ashes or refuse of the same; narcotic preparations
thereof or therefrom; morphine or any alkaloid of opium; preparations in which
opium, morphine or any alkaloid of opium enters as an ingredient; opium poppy;
opium poppy straw; and leaves or wrappings of opium leaves, whether prepared
for use or not.
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z) Opium Poppy. - Refers to any part of the plant of the species Papaver
somniferum L., Papaver setigerum DC, Papaver orientale, Papaver bracteatum
and Papaver rhoeas, which includes the seeds, straws, branches, leaves or any
part thereof, or substances derived therefrom, even for floral, decorative and
culinary purposes.
aa) PDEA. - Refers to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency under Section 82,
Article IX of this Act.
ab) Person. - Any entity, natural or juridical, including among others, a corporation,
partnership, trust or estate, joint stock company, association, syndicate, joint
venture or other unincorporated organization or group capable of acquiring
rights or entering into obligations.
ac) Planting of Evidence. - The willful act by any person of maliciously and
surreptitiously inserting, placing, adding or attaching directly or indirectly,
through any overt or covert act, whatever quantity of any dangerous drug and/or
controlled precursor and essential chemical in the person, house, effects or in
the immediate vicinity of an innocent individual for the purpose of implicating,
incriminating or imputing the commission of any violation of this Act.
ad) Practitioner. - Any person who is a licensed physician, dentist, chemist, medical
technologist, nurse, midwife, veterinarian or pharmacist in the Philippines.
ae) Protector/Coddler. - Any person who knowingly and willfully consents to the
unlawful acts provided for in this Act and uses his/her influence, power or
position in shielding, harboring, screening or facilitating the escape of any person
he/she knows, or has reasonable grounds to believe on or suspects, has violated
the provisions of this Act in order to prevent the arrest, prosecution and
conviction of the violator.
af) Pusher. - Any person who sells, trades, administers, dispenses, delivers or gives
away to another, on any terms whatsoever, or distributes, dispatches in transit
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or transports dangerous drugs or who acts as a broker in any of such transactions,
in violation of this Act.
ag) School. - Any educational institution, private or public, undertaking educational

operation for pupils/students pursuing certain studies at defined levels, receiving
instructions from teachers, usually located in a building or a group of buildings in
a particular physical or cyber site.
ah) Screening Test. - A rapid test performed to establish potential/presumptive

positive result.
ai) Sell. - Any act of giving away any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and
essential chemical whether for money or any other consideration.
aj) Trading. - Transactions involving the illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs and/or
controlled precursors and essential chemicals using electronic devices such as,
but not limited to, text messages, e-mail, mobile or landlines, two-way radios,
internet, instant messengers and chat rooms or acting as a broker in any of such
transactions whether for money or any other consideration in violation of this
Act.
ak) Use. - Any act of injecting, intravenously or intramuscularly, of consuming, either

by chewing, smoking, sniffing, eating, swallowing, drinking or otherwise
introducing into the physiological system of the body, any of the dangerous
drugs.
ARTICLE II
Unlawful Acts and Penalties
SEC. 4. Importation of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential

Chemicals. — The penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from Five
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) shall
be imposed upon any person, who, unless authorized by law, shall import or bring
into the Philippines any dangerous drug, regardless of the quantity and purity
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involved, including any and all species of opium poppy or any part thereof or
substances derived therefrom even for floral, decorative and culinary purposes.
The penalty of imprisonment ranging from twelve (12) years and one (1) day to
twenty (20) years and a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00)
to Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person,
who, unless authorized by law, shall import any controlled precursor and essential
chemical.
The maximum penalty provided for under this Section shall be imposed upon any
person, who, unless authorized under this Act, shall import or bring into the
Philippines any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical
through the use of a diplomatic passport, diplomatic facilities or any other means
involving his/her official status intended to facilitate the unlawful entry of the same.
In addition, the diplomatic passport shall be confiscated and canceled.
person, who organizes, manages or acts as a "financier" of any of the illegal activities
prescribed in this Section.
The penalty of twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years of
imprisonment and a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to
Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person, who
acts as a "protector/coddler" of any violator of the provisions under this Section.
SEC. 5. Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution and

Transportation of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential
Chemicals. — The penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from Five
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) shall
be imposed upon any person, who, unless authorized by law, shall sell, trade,
administer, dispense, deliver, give away to another, distribute, dispatch in transit or
transport any dangerous drug, including any and all species of opium poppy
regardless of the quantity and purity involved, or shall act as a broker in any of such
transactions.
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who, unless authorized by law, shall sell, trade, administer, dispense, deliver, give
away to another, distribute, dispatch in transit or transport any controlled precursor
and essential chemical, or shall act as a broker in such transactions.
If the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution or

transportation of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential
chemical transpires within one hundred (100) meters from the school, the maximum
penalty shall be imposed in every case.
For drug pushers who use minors or mentally incapacitated individuals as runners,
couriers and messengers, or in any other capacity directly connected to the
dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals trade, the
maximum penalty shall be imposed in every case.
If the victim of the offense is a minor or a mentally incapacitated individual, or

should a dangerous drug and/or a controlled precursor and essential chemical
involved in any offense herein provided be the proximate cause of death of a victim
thereof, the maximum penalty provided for under this Section shall be imposed.
person who organizes, manages or acts as a "financier" of any of the illegal activities
SEC. 6. Maintenance of a Den, Dive or Resort. — The penalty of life imprisonment to

death and a fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten
million pesos (P10,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person or group of
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persons who shall maintain a den, dive or resort where any dangerous drug is used
or sold in any form.
to Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person or
group of persons who shall maintain a den, dive, or resort where any controlled
precursor and essential chemical is used or sold in any form.
The maximum penalty provided for under this Section shall be imposed in every case
where any dangerous drug is administered, delivered or sold to a minor who is
allowed to use the same in such a place.
Should any dangerous drug be the proximate cause of the death of a person using
the same in such den, dive or resort, the penalty of death and a fine ranging from
One million (P1,000,000.00) to Fifteen million pesos (P15,000,000.00) shall be
imposed on the maintainer, owner and/or operator.
If such den, dive or resort is owned by a third person, the same shall be confiscated
and escheated in favor of the government: Provided, That the criminal complaint
shall specifically allege that such place is intentionally used in the furtherance of the
crime: Provided, further, That the prosecution shall prove such intent on the part of
the owner to use the property for such purpose: Provided, finally, That the owner
shall be included as an accused in the criminal complaint.
person who organizes, manages or acts as a "financier" of any of the illegal activities
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SEC. 7. Employees and Visitors of a Den, Dive or Resort. — The penalty of
imprisonment ranging from twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years
and a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to Five hundred
thousand pesos (P500,000.00) shall be imposed upon:
a) Any employee of a den, dive or resort, who is aware of the nature of the place
as such; and
b) Any person who, not being included in the provisions of the next preceding
paragraph, is aware of the nature of the place as such and shall knowingly
visit the same.
SEC. 8. Manufacture of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and

Essential Chemicals. — The penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging
from Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos
(P10,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person, who, unless authorized by law,
shall engage in the manufacture of any dangerous drug.
who, unless authorized by law, shall manufacture any controlled precursor and
essential chemical.
The presence of any controlled precursor and essential chemical or laboratory

equipment in the clandestine laboratory is a prima facie proof of manufacture of any
dangerous drug. It shall be considered an aggravating circumstance if the clandestine
laboratory is undertaken or established under the following circumstances:
a) Any phase of the manufacturing process was conducted in the presence or

with the help of minor/s;
b) Any phase or manufacturing process was established or undertaken within

one hundred (100) meters of a residential, business, church or school
premises;
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c) Any clandestine laboratory was secured or protected with booby traps;
d) Any clandestine laboratory was concealed with legitimate business operations;

or
e) Any employment of a practitioner, chemical engineer, public official or

foreigner.
SEC. 9. Illegal Chemical Diversion of Controlled Precursors and Essential

Chemicals. — The penalty of imprisonment ranging from twelve (12) years and one
(1) day to twenty (20) years and a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) to Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) shall be imposed upon
any person, who, unless authorized by law, shall illegally divert any controlled
precursor and essential chemical.
SEC. 10. Manufacture or Delivery of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus, and Other

Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential
Chemicals. — The penalty of imprisonment ranging from twelve (12) years and one
(1) day to twenty (20) years and a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) to Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) shall be imposed upon
any person who shall deliver, possess with intent to deliver, or manufacture with
intent to deliver equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia for
dangerous drugs, knowing, or under circumstances where one reasonably should
know, that it will be used to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture,
compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store,
Page 20 of 74
contain or conceal any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential
chemical in violation of this Act.
The penalty of imprisonment ranging from six (6) months and one (1) day to four (4)
years and a fine ranging from Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) to Fifty thousand
pesos (P50,000.00) shall be imposed if it will be used to inject, ingest, inhale or
otherwise introduce into the human body a dangerous drug in violation of this Act.
person, who uses a minor or a mentally incapacitated individual to deliver such
equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs.
SEC. 11. Possession of Dangerous Drugs. — The penalty of life imprisonment to

death and a fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten
million pesos (P10,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person, who, unless
authorized by law, shall possess any dangerous drug in the following quantities,
regardless of the degree of purity thereof:
1) 10 grams or more of opium;

2) 10 grams or more of morphine;
3) 10 grams or more of heroin;
4) 10 grams or more of cocaine or cocaine hydrochloride;
5) 50 grams or more of methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu";
6) 10 grams or more of marijuana resin or marijuana resin oil;
7) 500 grams or more of marijuana; and
8) 10 grams or more of other dangerous drugs such as, but not limited to,
methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or "ecstasy",
paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA), trimethoxyamphetamine (TMA), lysergic acid
diethylamine (LSD), gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and those similarly designed
or newly introduced drugs and their derivatives, without having any therapeutic
value or if the quantity possessed is far beyond therapeutic requirements, as
determined and promulgated by the Board in accordance to Section 93, Article XI
of this Act.
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Otherwise, if the quantity involved is less than the foregoing quantities, the penalties
shall be graduated as follows:
1) Life imprisonment and a fine ranging from Four hundred thousand pesos
(P400,000.00) to Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), if the quantity of
methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" is ten (10) grams or more but less
than fifty (50) grams;
2) Imprisonment of twenty (20) years and one (1) day to life imprisonment and a
fine ranging from Four hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00) to Five hundred
thousand pesos (P500,000.00), if the quantities of dangerous drugs are five (5)
grams or more but less than ten (10) grams of opium, morphine, heroin, cocaine
or cocaine hydrochloride, marijuana resin or marijuana resin oil,
methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu", or other dangerous drugs such as,
but not limited to, MDMA or "ecstasy", PMA, TMA, LSD, GHB, and those similarly
designed or newly introduced drugs and their derivatives, without having any
therapeutic value or if the quantity possessed is far beyond therapeutic
requirements; or three hundred (300) grams or more but less than five hundred
(500) grams of marijuana; and
3) Imprisonment of twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years and a
fine ranging from Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) to Four hundred
thousand pesos (P400,000.00), if the quantities of dangerous drugs are less than
five (5) grams of opium, morphine, heroin, cocaine or cocaine hydrochloride,
marijuana resin or marijuana resin oil, methamphetamine hydrochloride or
"shabu", or other dangerous drugs such as, but not limited to, MDMA or
"ecstasy", PMA, TMA, LSD, GHB, and those similarly designed or newly
introduced drugs and their derivatives, without having any therapeutic value or if
the quantity possessed is far beyond therapeutic requirements; or less than
three hundred (300) grams of marijuana.
SEC. 12. Possession of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus and Other Paraphernalia

for Dangerous Drugs. — The penalty of imprisonment ranging from six (6) months
and one (1) day to four (4) years and a fine ranging from Ten thousand pesos
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(P10,000.00) to Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person,
who, unless authorized by law, shall possess or have under his/her control any
equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia fit or intended for
smoking, consuming, administering, injecting, ingesting, or introducing any
dangerous drug into the body: Provided, That in the case of medical practitioners and
various professionals who are required to carry such equipment, instrument,
apparatus and other paraphernalia in the practice of their profession, the Board shall
prescribe the necessary implementing guidelines thereof.
The possession of such equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia

fit or intended for any of the purposes enumerated in the preceding paragraph shall
be prima facie evidence that the possessor has smoked, consumed, administered to
himself/herself, injected, ingested or used a dangerous drug and shall be presumed
to have violated Section 15 of this Act.
SEC. 13. Possession of Dangerous Drugs During Parties, Social Gatherings or

Meetings. — Any person found possessing any dangerous drug during a party, or at a
social gathering or meeting, or in the proximate company of at least two (2) persons,
shall suffer the maximum penalties provided for in Section 11 of this Act, regardless
of the quantity and purity of such dangerous drugs.
SEC. 14. Possession of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus and Other Paraphernalia

for Dangerous Drugs During Parties, Social Gatherings or Meetings. — The
maximum penalty provided for in Section 12 of this Act shall be imposed upon any
person, who shall possess or have under his/her control any equipment, instrument,
apparatus and other paraphernalia fit or intended for smoking, consuming,
administering, injecting, ingesting, or introducing any dangerous drug into the body,
during parties, social gatherings or meetings, or in the proximate company of at least
two (2) persons.
SEC. 15. Use of Dangerous Drugs. — A person apprehended or arrested, who is

found to be positive for use of any dangerous drug, after a confirmatory test, shall be
imposed a penalty of a minimum of six (6) months rehabilitation in a government
center for the first offense, subject to the provisions of Article VIII of this Act. If
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apprehended using any dangerous drug for the second time, he/she shall suffer the
penalty of imprisonment ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12)
years and a fine ranging from Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to Two hundred
thousand pesos (P200,000.00): Provided, That this Section shall not be applicable
where the person tested is also found to have in his/her possession such quantity of
any dangerous drug provided for under Section 11 of this Act, in which case the
provisions stated therein shall apply.
SEC. 16. Cultivation or Culture of Plants Classified as Dangerous Drugs or are

Sources Thereof. — The penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging
from Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos
(P10,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person, who shall plant, cultivate or
culture marijuana, opium poppy or any other plant regardless of quantity, which is or
may hereafter be classified as a dangerous drug or as a source from which any
dangerous drug, may be manufactured or derived: Provided, That in the case of
medical laboratories and medical research centers which cultivate or culture
marijuana, opium poppy and other plants, or materials of such dangerous drugs for
medical experiments and research purposes, or for the creation of new types of
medicine, the Board shall prescribe the necessary implementing guidelines for the
proper cultivation, culture, handling, experimentation and disposal of such plants
and materials.
The land or portions thereof and/or greenhouses on which any of said plants is
cultivated or cultured shall be confiscated and escheated in favor of the State, unless
the owner thereof can prove lack of knowledge of such cultivation or culture despite
the exercise of due diligence on his/her part. If the land involved is part of the public
domain, the maximum penalty provided for under this Section shall be imposed upon
the offender.
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SEC. 17. Maintenance and Keeping of Original Records of Transactions on

Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals. — The
penalty of imprisonment ranging from one (1) year and one (1) day to six (6) years
and a fine ranging from Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) to Fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000.00) shall be imposed upon any practitioner, manufacturer, wholesaler,
importer, distributor, dealer or retailer who violates or fails to comply with the
maintenance and keeping of the original records of transactions on any dangerous
drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical in accordance with Section
40 of this Act.
An additional penalty shall be imposed through the revocation of the license to

practice his/her profession, in case of a practitioner, or of the business, in case of a
manufacturer, seller, importer, distributor, dealer or retailer.
SEC. 18. Unnecessary Prescription of Dangerous Drugs. — The penalty of

imprisonment ranging from twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years
and a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to Five hundred
thousand pesos (P500,000.00) and the additional penalty of the revocation of his/her
license to practice shall be imposed upon the practitioner, who shall prescribe any
dangerous drug to any person whose physical or physiological condition does not
require the use or in the dosage prescribed therein, as determined by the Board in
consultation with recognized competent experts who are authorized representatives
of professional organizations of practitioners, particularly those who are involved in
the care of persons with severe pain.
SEC. 19. Unlawful Prescription of Dangerous Drugs. — The penalty of life

imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos
(P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon any
person, who, unless authorized by law, shall make or issue a prescription or any
other writing purporting to be a prescription for any dangerous drug.
Page 25 of 74
SEC. 20. Confiscation and Forfeiture of the Proceeds or Instruments of the Unlawful
Act, Including the Properties or Proceeds Derived from the Illegal Trafficking of
Dangerous Drugs and/or Precursors and Essential Chemicals. — Every penalty
imposed for the unlawful importation, sale, trading, administration, dispensation,
delivery, distribution, transportation or manufacture of any dangerous drug and/or
controlled precursor and essential chemical, the cultivation or culture of plants which
are sources of dangerous drugs, and the possession of any equipment, instrument,
apparatus and other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs including other laboratory
equipment, shall carry with it the confiscation and forfeiture, in favor of the
government, of all the proceeds and properties derived from the unlawful act,
including, but not limited to, money and other assets obtained thereby, and the
instruments or tools with which the particular unlawful act was committed, unless
they are the property of a third person not liable for the unlawful act, but those
which are not of lawful commerce shall be ordered destroyed without delay
pursuant to the provisions of Section 21 of this Act.
After conviction in the Regional Trial Court in the appropriate criminal case filed, the
Court shall immediately schedule a hearing for the confiscation and forfeiture of all
the proceeds of the offense and all the assets and properties of the accused either
owned or held by him or in the name of some other persons if the same shall be
found to be manifestly out of proportion to his/her lawful income: Provided,
however, That if the forfeited property is a vehicle, the same shall be auctioned off
not later than five (5) days upon order of confiscation or forfeiture.
During the pendency of the case in the Regional Trial Court, no property, or income
derived therefrom, which may be confiscated and forfeited, shall be disposed,
alienated or transferred and the same shall be in custodia legis and no bond shall be
admitted for the release of the same.
The proceeds of any sale or disposition of any property confiscated or forfeited

under this Section shall be used to pay all proper expenses incurred in the
proceedings for the confiscation, forfeiture, custody and maintenance of the
property pending disposition, as well as expenses for publication and court costs. The
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proceeds in excess of the above expenses shall accrue to the Board to be used in its
campaign against illegal drugs.
SEC. 21. Custody and Disposition of Confiscated, Seized, and/or Surrendered

Dangerous Drugs, Plant Sources of Dangerous Drugs, Controlled Precursors and
Essential Chemicals, Instruments/Paraphernalia and/or Laboratory Equipment. —
The PDEA shall take charge and have custody of all dangerous drugs, plant sources of
dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, as well as
instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment so confiscated, seized
and/or surrendered, for proper disposition in the following manner:
1) The apprehending team having initial custody and control of the drugs shall,
immediately after seizure and confiscation, physically inventory and photograph
the same in the presence of the accused or the person/s from whom such items
were confiscated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel, a
representative from the media and the Department of Justice (DOJ), and any
elected public official who shall be required to sign the copies of the inventory
and be given a copy thereof;
2) Within twenty-four (24) hours upon confiscation/seizure of dangerous drugs,

plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals,
as well as instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment, the same
shall be submitted to the PDEA Forensic Laboratory for a qualitative and
quantitative examination;
3) A certification of the forensic laboratory examination results, which shall be done

under oath by the forensic laboratory examiner, shall be issued within twenty-
four (24) hours after the receipt of the subject item/s: Provided, That when the
volume of the dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, and controlled
precursors and essential chemicals does not allow the completion of testing
within the time frame, a partial laboratory examination report shall be
provisionally issued stating therein the quantities of dangerous drugs still to be
examined by the forensic laboratory: Provided, however, That a final certification
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shall be issued on the completed forensic laboratory examination on the same
within the next twenty-four (24) hours;
4) After the filing of the criminal case, the Court shall, within seventy-two (72)
hours, conduct an ocular inspection of the confiscated, seized and/or
surrendered dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, and controlled
precursors and essential chemicals, including the instruments/paraphernalia
and/or laboratory equipment, and through the PDEA shall within twenty-four (24)
hours thereafter proceed with the destruction or burning of the same, in the
presence of the accused or the person/s from whom such items were
confiscated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel, a representative
from the media and the DOJ, civil society groups and any elected public official.
The Board shall draw up the guidelines on the manner of proper disposition and
destruction of such item/s which shall be borne by the offender: Provided, That
those items of lawful commerce, as determined by the Board, shall be donated,
used or recycled for legitimate purposes: Provider, further, That a representative
sample, duly weighed and recorded is retained;
5) The Board shall then issue a sworn certification as to the fact of destruction or
burning of the subject item/s which, together with the representative sample/s
in the custody of the PDEA, shall be submitted to the court having jurisdiction
over the case. In all instances, the representative sample/s shall be kept to a
minimum quantity as determined by the Board;
6) The alleged offender or his/her representative or counsel shall be allowed to

personally observe all of the above proceedings and his/her presence shall not
constitute an admission of guilt. In case the said offender or accused refuses or
fails to appoint a representative after due notice in writing to the accused or
his/her counsel within seventy-two (72) hours before the actual burning or
destruction of the evidence in question, the Secretary of Justice shall appoint a
member of the public attorney's office to represent the former;
7) After the promulgation and judgment in the criminal case wherein the
representative sample/s was presented as evidence in court, the trial prosecutor
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shall inform the Board of the final termination of the case and, in turn, shall
request the court for leave to turn over the said representative sample/s to the
PDEA for proper disposition and destruction within twenty-four (24) hours from
receipt of the same; and
8) Transitory Provision: a) Within twenty-four (24) hours from the effectivity of this
Act, dangerous drugs defined herein which are presently in possession of law
enforcement agencies shall, with leave of court, be burned or destroyed, in the
presence of representatives of the Court, DOJ, Department of Health (DOH) and
the accused/and or his/her counsel, and, b) Pending the organization of the
PDEA, the custody, disposition, and burning or destruction of seized/surrendered
dangerous drugs provided under this Section shall be implemented by the DOH.
SEC. 22. Grant of Compensation, Reward and Award. — The Board shall recommend
to the concerned government agency the grant of compensation, reward and award
to any person providing information and to law enforcers participating in the
operation, which results in the successful confiscation, seizure or surrender of
dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, and controlled precursors and
essential chemicals.
SEC. 23. Plea-Bargaining Provision. — Any person charged under any provision of
this Act regardless of the imposable penalty shall not be allowed to avail of the
provision on plea-bargaining.
SEC. 24. Non-Applicability of the Probation Law for Drug Traffickers and Pushers. —
Any person convicted for drug trafficking or pushing under this Act, regardless of the
penalty imposed by the Court, cannot avail of the privilege granted by the Probation
Law or Presidential Decree No. 968, as amended.
SEC. 25. Qualifying Aggravating Circumstances in the Commission of a Crime by an

Offender Under the Influence of Dangerous Drugs. — Notwithstanding the
provisions of any law to the contrary, a positive finding for the use of dangerous
drugs shall be a qualifying aggravating circumstance in the commission of a crime by
an offender, and the application of the penalty provided for in the Revised Penal
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Code shall be applicable.
SEC. 26. — Any attempt or conspiracy to commit the following unlawful acts shall be
penalized by the same penalty prescribed for the commission of the same as
provided under this Act:
a) Importation of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential

chemical;
b) Sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and

transportation of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and
essential chemical;
c) Maintenance of a den, dive or resort where any dangerous drug is used in any
form;
d) Manufacture of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential

chemical; and
e) Cultivation or culture of plants which are sources of dangerous drugs.
SEC. 27. Criminal Liability of a Public Officer or Employee for Misappropriation,

Misapplication or Failure to Account for the Confiscated, Seized and/or
Surrendered Dangerous Drugs, Plant Sources of Dangerous Drugs, Controlled
Precursors and Essential Chemicals, Instruments/Paraphernalia and/or Laboratory
Equipment Including the Proceeds or Properties Obtained from the Unlawful Act
Committed. — The penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from
Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00), in
addition to absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office, shall be
imposed upon any public officer or employee who misappropriates, misapplies or
fails to account for confiscated, seized or surrendered dangerous drugs, plant
sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals,
instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment including the proceeds or
properties obtained from the unlawful acts as provided for in this Act.
Page 30 of 74
Any elective local or national official found to have benefited from the proceeds of
the trafficking of dangerous drugs as prescribed in this Act, or have received any
financial or material contributions or donations from natural or juridical persons
found guilty of trafficking dangerous drugs as prescribed in this Act, shall be removed
from office and perpetually disqualified from holding any elective or appointive
positions in the government, its divisions, subdivisions, and intermediaries, including
government-owned or -controlled corporations.
SEC. 28. Criminal Liability of Government Officials and Employees. — The maximum
penalties of the unlawful acts provided for in this Act shall be imposed, in addition to
absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office, if those found guilty of
such unlawful acts are government officials and employees.
SEC. 29. Criminal Liability for Planting of Evidence. — Any person who is found guilty
of "planting" any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical,
regardless of quantity and purity, shall suffer the penalty of death.
SEC. 30. Criminal Liability of Officers of Partnerships, Corporations, Associations or

Other Juridical Entities. — In case any violation of this Act is committed by a
partnership, corporation, association or any juridical entity, the partner, president,
director, manager, trustee, estate administrator, or officer who consents to or
knowingly tolerates such violation shall be held criminally liable as a co-principal.
The penalty provided for the offense under this Act shall be imposed upon the
partner, president, director, manager, trustee, estate administrator, or officer who
knowingly authorizes, tolerates or consents to the use of a vehicle, vessel, aircraft,
equipment or other facility, as an instrument in the importation, sale, trading,
administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, transportation or manufacture of
dangerous drugs, or chemical diversion, if such vehicle, vessel, aircraft, equipment or
other instrument is owned by or under the control or supervision of the partnership,
corporation, association or juridical entity to which they are affiliated.
SEC. 31. Additional Penalty if Offender is an Alien. — In addition to the penalties

prescribed in the unlawful act committed, any alien who violates such provisions of
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this Act shall, after service of sentence, be deported immediately without further
proceedings, unless the penalty is death.
SEC. 32. Liability to a Person Violating Any Regulation Issued by the Board. — The
penalty of imprisonment ranging from six (6) months and one (1) day to four (4)
years and a fine ranging from Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) to Fifty thousand
pesos (P50,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person found violating any regulation
duly issued by the Board pursuant to this Act, in addition to the administrative
sanctions imposed by the Board.
SEC. 33. Immunity from Prosecution and Punishment. — Notwithstanding the

provisions of Section 17, Rule 119 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure and the
provisions of Republic Act No. 6981 or the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit
Act of 1991, any person who has violated Sections 7, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 19, Article II
of this Act, who voluntarily gives information about any violation of Sections 4, 5, 6, 8,
10, 13, and 16, Article II of this Act as well as any violation of the offenses mentioned
if committed by a drug syndicate, or any information leading to the whereabouts,
identities and arrest of all or any of the members thereof; and who willingly testifies
against such persons as described above, shall be exempted from prosecution or
punishment for the offense with reference to which his/her information of testimony
were given, and may plead or prove the giving of such information and testimony in
bar of such prosecution: Provided, That the following conditions concur:
1) The information and testimony are necessary for the conviction of the persons
described above;
2) Such information and testimony are not yet in the possession of the State;
3) Such information and testimony can be corroborated on its material points;
4) The informant or witness has not been previously convicted of a crime involving
moral turpitude, except when there is no other direct evidence available for the
State other than the information and testimony of said informant or witness; and
Page 32 of 74
5) The informant or witness shall strictly and faithfully comply without delay, any
condition or undertaking, reduced into writing, lawfully imposed by the State as
further consideration for the grant of immunity from prosecution and
punishment.
Provided, further, That this immunity may be enjoyed by such informant or witness
who does not appear to be most guilty for the offense with reference to which
his/her information or testimony were given: Provided, finally, That there is no direct
evidence available for the State except for the information and testimony of the said
informant or witness.
SEC. 34. Termination of the Grant of Immunity. — The immunity granted to the
informant or witness, as prescribed in Section 33 of this Act, shall not attach should it
turn out subsequently that the information and/or testimony is false, malicious or
made only for the purpose of harassing, molesting or in any way prejudicing the
persons described in the preceding Section against whom such information or
testimony is directed against. In such case, the informant or witness shall be subject
to prosecution and the enjoyment of all rights and benefits previously accorded him
under this Act or any other law, decree or order shall be deemed terminated.
In case an informant or witness under this Act fails or refuses to testify without just
cause, and when lawfully obliged to do so, or should he/she violate any condition
accompanying such immunity as provided above, his/her immunity shall be removed
and he/she shall likewise be subject to contempt and/or criminal prosecution, as the
case may be, and the enjoyment of all rights and benefits previously accorded him
under this Act or in any other law, decree or order shall be deemed terminated.
In case the informant or witness referred to under this Act falls under the
applicability of this Section hereof, such individual cannot avail of the provisions
under Article VIII of this Act.
SEC. 35. Accessory Penalties. — A person convicted under this Act shall be
disqualified to exercise his/her civil rights such as but not limited to, the rights of
parental authority or guardianship, either as to the person or property of any ward,
Page 33 of 74
the rights to dispose of such property by any act or any conveyance inter vivos, and
political rights such as but not limited to, the right to vote and be voted for. Such
rights shall also be suspended during the pendency of an appeal from such
conviction.
ARTICLE III
Dangerous Drugs Testand Record Requirements
SEC. 36. Authorized Drug Testing. — Authorized drug testing shall be done by any
government forensic laboratories or by any of the drug testing laboratories
accredited and monitored by the DOH to safeguard the quality of test results. The
DOH shall take steps in setting the price of the drug test with DOH accredited drug
testing centers to further reduce the cost of such drug test. The drug testing shall
employ, among others, two (2) testing methods, the screening test which will
determine the positive result as well as the type of the drug used and the
confirmatory test which will confirm a positive screening test. Drug test certificates
issued by accredited drug testing centers shall be valid for a one-year period from
the date of issue which may be used for other purposes. The following shall be
subjected to undergo drug testing:
a) Applicants for driver's license. - No driver's license shall be issued or renewed to

any person unless he/she presents a certification that he/she has undergone a
mandatory drug test and indicating thereon that he/she is free from the use of
dangerous drugs;
b) Applicants for firearm's license and for permit to carry firearms outside of
residence. - All applicants for firearm's license and permit to carry firearms
outside of residence shall undergo a mandatory drug test to ensure that they are
free from the use of dangerous drugs: Provided, That all persons who by the
nature of their profession carry firearms shall undergo drug testing;
c) Students of secondary and tertiary schools. - Students of secondary and tertiary

schools shall, pursuant to the related rules and regulations as contained in the
school's student handbook and with notice to the parents, undergo a random
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drug testing: Provided, That all drug testing expenses whether in public or
private schools under this Section will be borne by the government;
d) Officers and employees of public and private offices. - Officers and employees of
public and private offices, whether domestic or overseas, shall be subjected to
undergo a random drug test as contained in the company's work rules and
regulations, which shall be borne by the employer, for purposes of reducing the
risk in the workplace. Any officer or employee found positive for use of
dangerous drugs shall be dealt with administratively which shall be a ground for
suspension or termination, subject to the provisions of Article 282 of the Labor
Code and pertinent provisions of the Civil Service Law;
e) Officers and members of the military, police and other law enforcement agencies.
- Officers and members of the military, police and other law enforcement
agencies shall undergo an annual mandatory drug test;
f) All persons charged before the prosecutor's office with a criminal offense having
an imposable penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1)
day shall have to undergo a mandatory drug test; and
g) All candidates for public office whether appointed or elected both in the national
or local government shall undergo a mandatory drug test.
In addition to the above stated penalties in this Section, those found to be positive
for dangerous drugs use shall be subject to the provisions of Section 15 of this Act.
SEC. 37. Issuance of False or Fraudulent Drug Test Results. — Any person authorized,
licensed or accredited under this Act and its implementing rules to conduct drug
examination or test, who issues false or fraudulent drug test results knowingly,
willfully or through gross negligence, shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment
ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years and a fine ranging
from One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to Five hundred thousand pesos
(P500,000.00).
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An additional penalty shall be imposed through the revocation of the license to
practice his/her profession in case of a practitioner, and the closure of the drug
testing center.
SEC. 38. Laboratory Examination or Test on Apprehended/Arrested Offenders. —

Subject to SEC. 15 of this Act, any person apprehended or arrested for violating the
provisions of this Act shall be subjected to screening laboratory examination or test
within twenty-four (24) hours, if the apprehending or arresting officer has reasonable
ground to believe that the person apprehended or arrested, on account of physical
signs or symptoms or other visible or outward manifestation, is under the influence
of dangerous drugs. If found to be positive, the results of the screening laboratory
examination or test shall be challenged within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the
result through a confirmatory test conducted in any accredited analytical laboratory
equipment with a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry equipment or some such
modern and accepted method, if confirmed the same shall be prima facie evidence
that such person has used dangerous drugs, which is without prejudice for the
prosecution for other violations of the provisions of this Act: Provided, That a
positive screening laboratory test must be confirmed for it to be valid in a court of
law.
SEC. 39. Accreditation of Drug Testing Centers and Physicians. — The DOH shall be
tasked to license and accredit drug testing centers in each province and city in order
to assure their capacity, competence, integrity and stability to conduct the
laboratory examinations and tests provided in this Article, and appoint such technical
and other personnel as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this
provision. The DOH shall also accredit physicians who shall conduct the drug
dependency examination of a drug dependent as well as the after-care and follow-up
program for the said drug dependent. There shall be a control regulations, licensing
and accreditation division under the supervision of the DOH for this purpose.
For this purpose, the DOH shall establish, operate and maintain drug testing centers
in government hospitals, which must be provided at least with basic technologically
advanced equipment and materials, in order to conduct the laboratory examination
and tests herein provided, and appoint such qualified and duly trained technical and
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other personnel as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this
provision.
SEC. 40. Records Required for Transactions on Dangerous Drugs and Precursors and
Essential Chemicals. —
a) Every pharmacist dealing in dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and

essential chemicals shall maintain and keep an original record of sales, purchases,
acquisitions and deliveries of dangerous drugs, indicating therein the following
information:
1) License number and address of the pharmacist;
2) Name, address and license of the manufacturer, importer or wholesaler from
whom the dangerous drugs have been purchased;
3) Quantity and name of the dangerous drugs purchased or acquired;
4) Date of acquisition or purchase;
5) Name, address and community tax certificate number of the buyer;
6) Serial number of the prescription and the name of the physician, dentist,
veterinarian or practitioner issuing the same;
7) Quantity and name of the dangerous drugs sold or delivered; and
8) Date of sale or delivery.
A certified true copy of such record covering a period of six (6) months, duly
signed by the pharmacist or the owner of the drugstore, pharmacy or chemical
establishment, shall be forwarded to the Board within fifteen (15) days following
the last day of June and December of each year, with a copy thereof furnished
the city or municipal health officer concerned.
b) A physician, dentist, veterinarian or practitioner authorized to prescribe any

dangerous drug shall issue the prescription therefor in one (1) original and two (2)
duplicate copies. The original, after the prescription has been filled, shall be
retained by the pharmacist for a period of one (1) year from the date of sale or
delivery of such drug. One (1) copy shall be retained by the buyer or by the
person to whom the drug is delivered until such drug is consumed, while the
second copy shall be retained by the person issuing the prescription.
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For purposes of this Act, all prescriptions issued by physicians, dentists,
veterinarians or practitioners shall be written on forms exclusively issued by and
obtainable from the DOH. Such forms shall be made of a special kind of paper
and shall be distributed in such quantities and contain such information and
other data as the DOH may, by rules and regulations, require. Such forms shall
only be issued by the DOH through its authorized employees to licensed
physicians, dentists, veterinarians and practitioners in such quantities as the
Board may authorize. In emergency cases, however, as the Board may specify in
the public interest, a prescription need not be accomplished on such forms. The
prescribing physician, dentist, veterinarian or practitioner shall, within three (3)
days after issuing such prescription, inform the DOH of the same in writing. No
prescription once served by the drugstore or pharmacy be reused nor any
prescription once issued be refilled,
c) All manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, importers, dealers and retailers of

dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals shall keep
a record of all inventories, sales, purchases, acquisitions and deliveries of the
same as well as the names, addresses and licenses of the persons from whom
such items were purchased or acquired or to whom such items were sold or
delivered, the name and quantity of the same and the date of the transactions.
Such records may be subjected anytime for review by the Board.
ARTICLE IV
Participation of the Family, Students, Teachers and School Authorities in the
Enforcement of this Act
SEC. 41. Involvement of the Family. — The family being the basic unit of the Filipino
society shall be primarily responsible for the education and awareness of the
members of the family on the ill effects of dangerous drugs and close monitoring of
family members who may be susceptible to drug abuse.
SEC. 42. Student Councils and Campus Organizations. — All elementary, secondary
and tertiary schools' student councils and campus organizations shall include in their
activities a program for the prevention of and deterrence in the use of dangerous
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drugs, and referral for treatment and rehabilitation of students for drug
dependence.
SEC. 43. School Curricula. — Instruction on drug abuse prevention and control shall
be integrated in the elementary, secondary and tertiary curricula of all public and
private schools, whether general, technical, vocational or agro-industrial as well as in
non-formal, informal and indigenous learning systems. Such instructions shall include:
1) Adverse effects of the abuse and misuse of dangerous drugs on the person, the
family, the school and the community;
2) Preventive measures against drug abuse;
3) Health, socio-cultural, psychological, legal and economic dimensions and
implications of the drug problem;
4) Steps to take when intervention on behalf of a drug dependent is needed, as well
as the services available for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents;
and
5) Misconceptions about the use of dangerous drugs such as, but not limited to, the
importance and safety of dangerous drugs for medical and therapeutic use as
well as the differentiation between medical patients and drug dependents in
order to avoid confusion and accidental stigmatization in the consciousness of
the students.
SEC. 44. Heads, Supervisors, and Teachers of Schools. — For the purpose of
enforcing the provisions of Article II of this Act, all school heads, supervisors and
teachers shall be deemed persons in authority and, as such, are hereby empowered
to apprehend, arrest or cause the apprehension or arrest of any person who shall
violate any of the said provisions, pursuant to Section 5, Rule 113 of the Rules of
Court. They shall be deemed persons in authority if they are in the school or within
its immediate vicinity, or even beyond such immediate vicinity if they are in
attendance at any school or class function in their official capacity as school heads,
supervisors, and teachers.
Any teacher or school employee, who discovers or finds that any person in the school
or within its immediate vicinity is liable for violating any of said provisions, shall have
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the duty to report the same to the school head or immediate superior who shall, in
turn, report the matter to the proper authorities.
Failure to do so in either case, within a reasonable period from the time of discovery
of the violation shall, after due hearing, constitute sufficient cause for disciplinary
action by the school authorities.
SEC. 45. Publication and Distribution of Materials on Dangerous Drugs. — With the
assistance of the Board, the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), the
Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Director-General
of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall cause the
development, publication and distribution of information and support educational
materials on dangerous drugs to the students, the faculty, the parents, and the
community.
SEC. 46. Special Drug Education Center. — With the assistance of the Board, the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National Youth
Commission (NYC), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
shall establish in each of its provincial office a special education drug center for out-
of-school youth and street children. Such Center which shall be headed by the
Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer shall sponsor drug prevention
programs and activities and information campaigns with the end in view of educating
the out-of-school youth and street children regarding the pernicious effects of drug
abuse. The programs initiated by the Center shall likewise be adopted in all public
and private orphanage and existing special centers for street children.
ARTICLE V
Promotion of a National Drug-Free Workplace Program with the Participation of
Private and Labor Sectors and the Department of Labor and Employment
SEC. 47. Drug-Free Workplace. — It is deemed a policy of the State to promote drug-
free workplaces using a tripartite approach. With the assistance of the Board, the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall develop, promote and
implement a national drug abuse prevention program in the workplace to be
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adopted by private companies with ten (10) or more employees. Such program shall
include the mandatory drafting and adoption of company policies against drug use in
the workplace in close consultation and coordination with the DOLE, labor and
employer organizations, human resource development managers and other such
private sector organizations.
SEC. 48. Guidelines for the National Drug-Free Workplace Program. — The Board
and the DOLE shall formulate the necessary guidelines for the implementation of the
national drug-free workplace program. The amount necessary for the
implementation of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
ARTICLE VI
Participation of the Private and Labor Sectors in the Enforcement of this Act
SEC. 49. Labor Organizations and the Private Sector. — All labor unions, federations,
associations, or organizations in cooperation with the respective private sector
partners shall include in their collective bargaining or any similar agreements, joint
continuing programs and information campaigns for the laborers similar to the
programs provided under Section 47 of this Act with the end in view of achieving a
drug free workplace.
SEC. 50. Government Assistance. — The labor sector and the respective partners
may, in pursuit of the programs mentioned in the preceding Section, secure the
technical assistance, such as but not limited to, seminars and information
dissemination campaigns of the appropriate government and law enforcement
agencies.
ARTICLE VII
Participation of Local Government Units
SEC. 51. Local Government Units' Assistance. — Local government units shall
appropriate a substantial portion of their respective annual budgets to assist in or
enhance the enforcement of this Act giving priority to preventive or educational
programs and the rehabilitation or treatment of drug dependents.
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SEC. 52. Abatement of Drug Related Public Nuisances. — Any place or premises
which have been used on two or more occasions as the site of the unlawful sale or
delivery of dangerous drugs may be declared to be a public nuisance, and such
nuisance may be abated, pursuant to the following procedures:
1) Any city or municipality may, by ordinance, create an administrative board to

hear complaints regarding the nuisances;
2) Any employee, officer, or resident of the city or municipality may bring a

complaint before the Board after giving not less than three (3) days written
notice of such complaint to the owner of the place or premises at his/her last
known address; and
3) After hearing in which the Board may consider any evidence, including evidence
of the general reputation of the place or premises, and at which the owner of the
premises shall have an opportunity to present evidence in his/her defense, the
Board may declare the place or premises to be a public nuisance.
SEC. 53. Effect of Board Declaration. — If the Board declares a place or premises to
be a public nuisance, it may declare an order immediately prohibiting the conduct,
operation, or maintenance of any business or activity on the premises which is
conducive to such nuisance.
An order entered under this Section shall expire after one (1) year or at such earlier
time as stated in the order. The Board may bring a complaint seeking a permanent
injunction against any nuisance described under this Section.
This Article does not restrict the right of any person to proceed under the Civil Code
against any public nuisance.
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ARTICLE VIII
Program for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Drug Dependents
SEC. 54. Voluntary Submission of a Drug Dependent to Confinement, Treatment

and Rehabilitation. — A drug dependent or any person who violates Section 15 of
this Act may, by himself/herself or through his/her parent, spouse, guardian or
relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, apply to the Board or its
duly recognized representative, for treatment and rehabilitation of the drug
dependency. Upon such application, the Board shall bring forth the matter to the
Court which shall order that the applicant be examined for drug dependency. If the
examination by a DOH-accredited physician results in the issuance of a certification
that the applicant is a drug dependent, he/she shall be ordered by the Court to
undergo treatment and rehabilitation in a Center designated by the Board for a
period of not less than six (6) months: Provided, That a drug dependent may be
placed under the care of a DOH-accredited physician where there is no Center near
or accessible to the residence of the drug dependent or where said drug dependent
is below eighteen (18) years of age and is a first-time offender and non-confinement
in a Center will not pose a serious danger to his/her family or the community.
Confinement in a Center for treatment and rehabilitation shall not exceed one (1)
year, after which time the Court, as well as the Board, shall be apprised by the head
of the treatment and rehabilitation center of the status of said drug dependent and
determine whether further confinement will be for the welfare of the drug
dependent and his/her family or the community.
SEC. 55. Exemption from the Criminal Liability Under the Voluntary Submission
Program. — A drug dependent under the voluntary submission program, who is
finally discharged from confinement, shall be exempt from the criminal liability under
Section 15 of this Act subject to the following conditions:
1) He/she has complied with the rules and regulations of the Center, the applicable
rules and regulations of the Board, including the after-care and follow-up
program for at least eighteen (18) months following temporary discharge from
confinement in the Center or, in the case of a dependent placed under the care
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of the DOH-accredited physician, the after-care program and follow-up schedule
formulated by the DSWD and approved by the Board: Provided, That capability-
building of local government social workers shall be undertaken by the DSWD;
2) He/she has never been charged or convicted of any offense punishable under
this Act, the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 or Republic Act No. 6425, as amended;
the Revised Penal Code, as amended; or any special penal laws;
3) He/she has no record of escape from a Center: Provided, That had he/she
escaped, he/she surrendered by himself/herself or through his/her parent,
spouse, guardian or relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity,
within one (1) week from the date of the said escape; and
4) He/she poses no serious danger to himself/herself, his/her family or the

community by his/her exemption from criminal liability.
SEC. 56. Temporary Release From the Center; After-Care and Follow-Up Treatment
Under the Voluntary Submission Program. — Upon certification of the Center that
the drug dependent within the voluntary submission program may be temporarily
released, the Court shall order his/her release on condition that said drug dependent
shall report to the DOH for after-care and follow-up treatment, including urine
testing, for a period not exceeding eighteen (18) months under such terms and
conditions that the Court may impose.
If during the period of after-care and follow-up, the drug dependent is certified to be
rehabilitated, he/she may be discharged by the Court, subject to the provisions of
Section 55 of this Act, without prejudice to the outcome of any pending case filed in
court.
However, should the DOH find that during the initial after-care and follow-up
program of eighteen (18) months, the drug dependent requires further treatment
and rehabilitation in the Center, he/she shall be recommitted to the Center for
confinement. Thereafter, he/she may again be certified for temporary release and
ordered released for another after-care and follow-up program pursuant to this
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Section.
SEC. 57. Probation and Community Service Under the Voluntary Submission
Program. — A drug dependent who is discharged as rehabilitated by the DOH-
accredited Center through the voluntary submission program, but does not qualify
for exemption from criminal liability under Section 55 of this Act, may be charged
under the provisions of this Act, but shall be placed on probation and undergo a
community service in lieu of imprisonment and/or fine in the discretion of the court,
without prejudice to the outcome of any pending case filed in court.
Such drug dependent shall undergo community service as part of his/her after-care
and follow-up program, which may be done in coordination with non-governmental
civic organizations accredited by the DSWD, with the recommendation of the Board.
SEC. 58. Filing of Charges Against a Drug Dependent Who is Not Rehabilitated
Under the Voluntary Submission Program. — A drug dependent, who is not
rehabilitated after the second commitment to the Center under the voluntary
submission program, shall, upon recommendation of the Board, be charged for
violation of Section 15 of this Act and prosecuted like any other offender. If convicted,
he/she shall be credited for the period of confinement and rehabilitation in the
Center in the service of his/her sentence.
SEC. 59. Escape and Recommitment for Confinement and Rehabilitation Under the
Voluntary Submission Program. — Should a drug dependent under the voluntary
submission program escape from the Center, he/she may submit himself/herself for
recommitment within one (1) week therefrom, or his/her parent, spouse, guardian
or relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity may, within said
period, surrender him for recommitment, in which case the corresponding order
shall be issued by the Board.
Should the escapee fail to submit himself/herself or be surrendered after one (1)
week, the Board shall apply to the court for a recommitment order upon proof of
previous commitment or his/her voluntary submission by the Board, the court may
issue an order for recommitment within one (1) week.
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If, subsequent to a recommitment, the dependent once again escapes from
confinement, he/she shall be charged for violation of Section 15 of this Act and be
subjected under Section 61 of this Act, either upon order of the Board or upon order
of the court, as the case may be.
SEC. 60. Confidentiality of Records Under the Voluntary Submission Program. —

Judicial and medical records of drug dependents under the voluntary submission
program shall be confidential and shall not be used against him for any purpose,
except to determine how many times, by himself/herself or through his/her parent,
spouse, guardian or relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity,
he/she voluntarily submitted himself/herself for confinement, treatment and
rehabilitation or has been committed to a Center under this program.
SEC. 61. Compulsory Confinement of a Drug Dependent Who Refuses to Apply

Under the Voluntary Submission Program. — Notwithstanding any law, rule and
regulation to the contrary, any person determined and found to be dependent on
dangerous drugs shall, upon petition by the Board or any of its authorized
representative, be confined for treatment and rehabilitation in any Center duly
designated or accredited for the purpose.
A petition for the confinement of a person alleged to be dependent on dangerous

drugs to a Center may be filed by any person authorized by the Board with the
Regional Trial Court of the province or city where such person is found.
After the petition is filed, the court, by an order, shall immediately fix a date for the
hearing, and a copy of such order shall be served on the person alleged to be
dependent on dangerous drugs, and to the one having charge of him.
If after such hearing and the facts so warrant, the court shall order the drug
dependent to be examined by two (2) physicians accredited by the Board. If both
physicians conclude that the respondent is not a drug dependent, the court shall
order his/her discharge. If either physician finds him to be a dependent, the court
shall conduct a hearing and consider all relevant evidence which may be offered. If
the court finds him a drug dependent, it shall issue an order for his/her commitment
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to a treatment and rehabilitation center under the supervision of the DOH. In any
event, the order of discharge or order of confinement or commitment shall be issued
not later than fifteen (15) days from the filing of the appropriate petition.
SEC. 62. Compulsory Submission of a Drug Dependent Charged with an Offense to

Treatment and Rehabilitation. — If a person charged with an offense where the
imposable penalty is imprisonment of less than six (6) years and one (1) day, and is
found by the prosecutor or by the court, at any stage of the proceedings, to be a
drug dependent, the prosecutor or the court as the case may be, shall suspend all
further proceedings and transmit copies of the record of the case to the Board.
In the event the Board determines, after medical examination, that public interest
requires that such drug dependent be committed to a center for treatment and
rehabilitation, it shall file a petition for his/her commitment with the regional trial
court of the province or city where he/she is being investigated or tried: Provided,
That where a criminal case is pending in court, such petition shall be filed in the said
court. The court shall take judicial notice of the prior proceedings in the case and
shall proceed to hear the petition. If the court finds him to be a drug dependent, it
shall order his/her commitment to a Center for treatment and rehabilitation. The
head of said Center shall submit to the court every four (4) months, or as often as the
court may require, a written report on the progress of the treatment. If the
dependent is rehabilitated, as certified by the Center and the Board, he/she shall be
returned to the court, which committed him, for his/her discharge therefrom.
Thereafter, his/her prosecution for any offense punishable by law shall be instituted
or shall continue, as the case may be. In case of conviction, the judgment shall, if the
accused is certified by the treatment and rehabilitation center to have maintained
good behavior, indicate that he/she shall be given full credit for the period he/she
was confined in the Center: Provided, however, That when the offense is for
violation of Section 15 of this Act and the accused is not a recidivist, the penalty
thereof shall be deemed to have been served in the Center upon his/her release
therefrom after certification by the Center and the Board that he/she is rehabilitated.
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SEC. 63. Prescription of the Offense Charged Against a Drug Dependent Under the
Compulsory Submission Program. — The period of prescription of the offense
charged against a drug dependent under the compulsory submission program shall
not run during the time that the drug dependent is under confinement in a Center or
otherwise under the treatment and rehabilitation program approved by the Board.
Upon certification of the Center that he/she may temporarily be discharged from the
said Center, the court shall order his/her release on condition that he/she shall
report to the Board through the DOH for after-care and follow-up treatment for a
period not exceeding eighteen (18) months under such terms and conditions as may
be imposed by the Board.
If at anytime during the after-care and follow-up period, the Board certifies to
his/her complete rehabilitation, the court shall order his/her final discharge from
confinement and order for the immediate resumption of the trial of the case for
which he/she is originally charged. Should the Board through the DOH find at
anytime during the after-care and follow-up period that he/she requires further
treatment and rehabilitation, it shall report to the court, which shall order his/her
recommitment to the Center.
Should the drug dependent, having been committed to a Center upon petition by the
Board escape therefrom, he/she may resubmit himself/herself for confinement
within one (1) week from the date of his/her escape; or his/her parent, spouse,
guardian or relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity may, within
the same period, surrender him for recommitment. If, however, the drug dependent
does not resubmit himself/herself for confinement or he/she is not surrendered for
recommitment, the Board may apply with the court for the issuance of the
recommitment order. Upon proof of previous commitment, the court shall issue an
order for recommitment. If, subsequent to such recommitment, he/she should
escape again, he/she shall no longer be exempt from criminal liability for use of any
dangerous drug.
A drug dependent committed under this particular Section who is finally discharged
from confinement shall be exempt from criminal liability under Section 15 of this Act,
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without prejudice to the outcome of any pending case filed in court. On the other
hand, a drug dependent who is not rehabilitated after a second commitment to the
Center shall, upon conviction by the appropriate court, suffer the same penalties
provided for under Section 15 of this Act again without prejudice to the outcome of
any pending case filed in court.
SEC. 64. Confidentiality of Records Under the Compulsory Submission Program. —

The records of a drug dependent who was rehabilitated and discharged from the
Center under the compulsory submission program, or who was charged for violation
of Section 15 of this Act, shall be covered by Section 60 of this Act. However, the
records of a drug dependent who was not rehabilitated, or who escaped but did not
surrender himself/herself within the prescribed period, shall be forwarded to the
court and their use shall be determined by the court, taking into consideration public
interest and the welfare of the drug dependent.
SEC. 65. Duty of the Prosecutor in the Proceedings. — It shall be the duty of the
provincial or the city prosecutor or their assistants or state prosecutors to prepare
the appropriate petition in all proceedings arising from this Act.
SEC. 66. Suspension of Sentence of a First-Time Minor Offender. — An accused who

is over fifteen (15) years of age at the time of the commission of the offense
mentioned in Section 11 of this Act, but not more than eighteen (18) years of age at
the time when judgment should have been promulgated after having been found
guilty of said offense, may be given the benefits of a suspended sentence, subject to
the following conditions:
a) He/she has not been previously convicted of violating any provision of this Act,
or of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, as amended; or of the Revised Penal
Code; or of any special penal laws;
b) He/she has not been previously committed to a Center or to the care of a DOH-
accredited physician; and
c) The Board favorably recommends that his/her sentence be suspended.
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While under suspended sentence, he/she shall be under the supervision and
rehabilitative surveillance of the Board, under such conditions that the court may
impose for a period ranging from six (6) months to eighteen (18) months.
Upon recommendation of the Board, the court may commit the accused under
suspended sentence to a Center, or to the care of a DOH-accredited physician for at
least six (6) months, with after-care and follow-up program for not more than
eighteen (18) months.
In the case of minors under fifteen (15) years of age at the time of the commission of
any offense penalized under this Act, Article 192 of Presidential Decree No. 603,
otherwise known as the Child and Youth Welfare Code, as amended by Presidential
Decree No. 1179 shall apply, without prejudice to the application of the provisions of
this Section.
SEC. 67. Discharge After Compliance with Conditions of Suspended Sentence of a

First-Time Minor Offender. — If the accused first time minor offender under
suspended sentence complies with the applicable rules and regulations of the Board,
including confinement in a Center, the court, upon a favorable recommendation of
the Board for the final discharge of the accused, shall discharge the accused and
dismiss all proceedings.
Upon the dismissal of the proceedings against the accused, the court shall enter an
order to expunge all official records, other than the confidential record to be
retained by the DOJ relating to the case. Such an order, which shall be kept
confidential, shall restore the accused to his/her status prior to the case. He/she shall
not be held thereafter to be guilty of perjury or of concealment or misrepresentation
by reason of his/her failure to acknowledge the case or recite any fact related
thereto in response to any inquiry made of him for any purpose.
SEC. 68. Privilege of Suspended Sentence to be Availed of Only Once by a First-Time

Minor Offender. — The privilege of suspended sentence shall be availed of only once
by an accused drug dependent who is a first-time offender over fifteen (15) years of
age at the time of the commission of the violation of Section 15 of this Act but not
more than eighteen (18) years of age at the time when judgment should have been
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promulgated.
SEC. 69. Promulgation of Sentence for First-Time Minor Offender. — If the accused
first-time minor offender violates any of the conditions of his/her suspended
sentence, the applicable rules and regulations of the Board exercising supervision
and rehabilitative surveillance over him, including the rules and regulations of the
Center should confinement be required, the court shall pronounce judgment of
conviction and he/she shall serve sentence as any other convicted person.
SEC. 70. Probation or Community Service for a First-Time Minor Offender in Lieu of
Imprisonment. — Upon promulgation of the sentence, the court may, in its
discretion, place the accused under probation, even if the sentence provided under
this Act is higher than that provided under existing law on probation, or impose
community service in lieu of imprisonment. In case of probation, the supervision and
rehabilitative surveillance shall be undertaken by the Board through the DOH in
coordination with the Board of Pardons and Parole and the Probation Administration.
Upon compliance with the conditions of the probation, the Board shall submit a
written report to the court recommending termination of probation and a final
discharge of the probationer, whereupon the court shall issue such an order.
The community service shall be complied with under conditions, time and place as
may be determined by the court in its discretion and upon the recommendation of
the Board and shall apply only to violators of Section 15 of this Act. The completion
of the community service shall be under the supervision and rehabilitative
surveillance of the Board during the period required by the court. Thereafter, the
Board shall render a report on the manner of compliance of said community service.
The court in its discretion may require extension of the community service or order a
final discharge.
In both cases, the judicial records shall be covered by the provisions of Sections 60
and 64 of this Act.
If the sentence promulgated by the court requires imprisonment, the period spent in
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the Center by the accused during the suspended sentence period shall be deducted
from the sentence to be served.
SEC. 71. Records to be kept by the Department of Justice. — The DOJ shall keep a
confidential record of the proceedings on suspension of sentence and shall not be
used for any purpose other than to determine whether or not a person accused
under this Act is a first-time minor offender.
SEC. 72. Liability of a Person Who Violates the Confidentiality of Records. — The
penalty of imprisonment ranging from six (6) months and one (1) day to six (6) years
and a fine ranging from One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) to Six thousand pesos
(P6,000.00), shall be imposed upon any person who, having official custody of or
access to the confidential records of any drug dependent under voluntary submission
programs, or anyone who, having gained possession of said records, whether lawfully
or not, reveals their content to any person other than those charged with the
prosecution of the offenses under this Act and its implementation. The maximum
penalty shall be imposed, in addition to absolute perpetual disqualification from any
public office, when the offender is a government official or employee. Should the
records be used for unlawful purposes, such as blackmail of the drug dependent or
the members of his/her family, the penalty imposed for the crime of violation of
confidentiality shall be in addition to whatever crime he/she may be convicted of.
SEC. 73. Liability of a Parent, Spouse or Guardian Who Refuses to Cooperate with
the Board or any Concerned Agency. — Any parent, spouse or guardian who,
without valid reason, refuses to cooperate with the Board or any concerned agency
in the treatment and rehabilitation of a drug dependent who is a minor, or in any
manner, prevents or delays the after-care, follow-up or other programs for the
welfare of the accused drug dependent, whether under voluntary submission
program or compulsory submission program, may be cited for contempt by the court.
SEC. 74. Cost-Sharing in the Treatment and Rehabilitation of a Drug Dependent. —

The parent, spouse, guardian or any relative within the fourth degree of
consanguinity of any person who is confined under the voluntary submission
program or compulsory submission program shall be charged a certain percentage of
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the cost of his/her treatment and rehabilitation, the guidelines of which shall be
formulated by the DSWD taking into consideration the economic status of the family
of the person confined. The guidelines therein formulated shall be implemented by a
social worker of the local government unit.
SEC. 75. Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers. — The existing treatment and
rehabilitation centers for drug dependents operated and maintained by the NBI and
the PNP shall be operated, maintained and managed by the DOH in coordination
with other concerned agencies. For the purpose of enlarging the network of centers,
the Board through the DOH shall encourage, promote or whenever feasible, assist or
support in the establishment, operations and maintenance of private centers which
shall be eligible to receive grants, donations or subsidy from either government or
private sources. It shall also support the establishment of government-operated
regional treatment and rehabilitation centers depending upon the availability of
funds. The national government, through its appropriate agencies shall give priority
funding for the increase of subsidy to existing government drug rehabilitation
centers, and shall establish at least one (1) drug rehabilitation center in each
province, depending on the availability of funds.
SEC. 76. The Duties and Responsibilities of the Department of Health (DOH) Under
this Act. — The DOH shall:
1) Oversee and monitor the integration, coordination and supervision of all drug
rehabilitation, intervention, after-care and follow-up programs, projects and
activities as well as the establishment, operations, maintenance and
management of privately-owned drug treatment rehabilitation centers and drug
testing networks and laboratories throughout the country in coordination with
the DSWD and other agencies;
2) License, accredit, establish and maintain drug test network and laboratory,
initiate, conduct and support scientific research on drugs and drug control;
3) Encourage, assist and accredit private centers, promulgate rules and regulations
setting minimum standards for their accreditation to assure their competence,
integrity and stability;
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4) Prescribe and promulgate rules and regulations governing the establishment of
such Centers as it may deem necessary after conducting a feasibility study
thereof,
5) The DOH shall, without prejudice to the criminal prosecution of those found
guilty of violating this Act, order the closure of a Center for treatment and
rehabilitation of drug dependency when, after investigation it is found guilty of
violating the provisions of this Act or regulations issued by the Board; and
6) Charge reasonable fees for drug dependency examinations, other medical and
legal services provided to the public, which shall accrue to the Board. All income
derived from these sources shall be part of the funds constituted as special funds
for the implementation of this Act under Section 87.
ARTICLE IX
Dangerous Drugs Board and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
SEC. 77. The Dangerous Drugs Board. — The Board shall be the policy-making and
strategy-formulating body in the planning and formulation of policies and programs
on drug prevention and control. It shall develop and adopt a comprehensive,
integrated, unified and balanced national drug abuse prevention and control strategy.
It shall be under the Office of the President.
SEC. 78. Composition of the Board. — The Board shall be composed of seventeen
(17) members wherein three (3) of which are permanent members, the other twelve
(12) members shall be in an ex officio capacity and the two (2) shall be regular
members.
The three (3) permanent members, who shall possess at least seven-year training
and experience in the field of dangerous drugs and in any of the following fields: in
law, medicine, criminology, psychology or social work, shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines. The President shall designate a Chairman, who shall
have the rank of a secretary from among the three (3) permanent members who
shall serve for six (6) years. Of the two (2) other members, who shall both have the
rank of undersecretary, one (1) shall serve for four (4) years and the other for two (2)
years. Thereafter, the persons appointed to succeed such members shall hold office
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for a term of six (6) years and until their successors shall have been duly appointed
and qualified.
The other twelve (12) members who shall be ex officio members of the Board are the
following:
1) Secretary of the Department of Justice or his/her representative;
2) Secretary of the Department of Health or his/her representative;
3) Secretary of the Department of National Defense or his/her representative;
4) Secretary of the Department of Finance or his/her representative;
5) Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment or his/her
representative;
6) Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government or his/her
representative;
7) Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development or his/her
representative;
8) Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs or his/her representative;
9) Secretary of the Department of Education or his/her representative;
10) Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education or his/her representative;
11) Chairman of the National Youth Commission; and
12) Director General of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Cabinet secretaries who are members of the Board may designate their duly
authorized and permanent representatives whose ranks shall in no case be lower
than undersecretary.
The two (2) regular members shall be as follows:

a) The president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines; and
b) The chairman or president of a non-government organization involved in
dangerous drug campaign to be appointed by the President of the Philippines.
The Director of the NBI and the Chief of the PNP shall be the permanent consultants
of the Board, and shall attend all the meetings of the Board.
All members of the Board as well as its permanent consultants shall receive a per
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diem for every meeting actually attended subject to the pertinent budgetary laws,
rules and regulations on compensation, honoraria and allowances: Provided, That
where the. representative of an ex officio member or of the permanent consultant of
the Board attends a meeting in behalf of the latter, such representative shall be
entitled to receive the per diem.
SEC. 79. Meetings of the Board. — The Board shall meet once a week or as often as
necessary at the discretion of the Chairman or at the call of any four (4) other
members. The presence of nine (9) members shall constitute a quorum.
SEC. 80. Secretariat of the Board. — The Board shall recommend to the President of
the Philippines the appointment of an Executive Director, with the rank of an
undersecretary, who shall be the Secretary of the Board and administrative officer of
its secretariat, and shall perform such other duties that may be assigned to him/her.
He/she must possess adequate knowledge, training and experience in the field of
dangerous drugs, and in any of the following fields: law enforcement, law, medicine,
criminology, psychology or social work.
Two deputies executive director, for administration and operations, with the ranks of
assistant secretary, shall be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the
Board. They shall possess the same qualifications as those of the executive director.
They shall receive a salary corresponding to their position as prescribed by the Salary
Standardization Law as a Career Service Officer.
The existing secretariat of the Board shall be under the administrative control and
supervision of the Executive Director. It shall be composed of the following divisions,
namely: Policy Studies, Research and Statistics; Preventive Education, Training and
Information; Legal Affairs; and the Administrative and Financial Management.
SEC. 81. Powers and Duties of the Board. — The Board shall:
a) Formulate, develop and establish a comprehensive, integrated, unified and

balanced national drug use prevention and control strategy;
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b) Promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the
purposes of this Act, including the manner of safekeeping, disposition, burning or
condemnation of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential
chemical under its charge and custody, and prescribe administrative remedies or
sanctions for the violations of such rules and regulations;
c) Conduct policy studies, program monitoring and evaluations and other

researches on drug prevention, control and enforcement;
d) Initiate, conduct and support scientific, clinical, social, psychological, physical and
biological researches on dangerous drugs and dangerous drugs prevention and
control measures;
e) Develop an educational program and information drive on the hazards and

prevention of illegal use of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and
essential chemical based on factual data, and disseminate the same to the
general public, for which purpose the Board shall endeavor to make the general
public aware of the hazards of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor
and essential chemical by providing among others, literature, films, displays or
advertisements and by coordinating with all institutions of learning as well as
with all national and local enforcement agencies in planning and conducting its
educational campaign programs to be implemented by the appropriate
government agencies.
f) Conduct continuing seminars for, and consultations with, and provide

information materials to judges and prosecutors in coordination with the Office
of the Court Administrator, in the case of judges, and the DOJ, in the case of
prosecutors, which aim to provide them with the current developments and
programs of the Board pertinent to its campaign against dangerous drugs and its
scientific researches on dangerous drugs, its prevention and control measures;
g) Design special trainings in order to provide law enforcement officers, members

of the judiciary, and prosecutors, school authorities and personnel of centers
with knowledge and know-how in dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors
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and essential chemicals control in coordination with the Supreme Court to meet
the objectives of the national drug control programs;
h) Design and develop, in consultation and coordination with the DOH, DSWD and
other agencies involved in drugs control, treatment and rehabilitation, both
public and private, a national treatment and rehabilitation program for drug
dependents including a standard aftercare and community service program for
recovering drug dependents;
i) Design and develop, jointly with the DOLE and in consultation with labor and
employer groups as well as non-government organizations a drug abuse
prevention program in the workplace that would include a provision for
employee assistance programs for emotionally-stressed employees;
j) Initiate and authorize closure proceedings against non-accredited and/or

substandard rehabilitation centers based on verified reports of human rights
violations, subhuman conditions, inadequate medical training and assistance and
excessive fees for implementation by the PDEA;
k) Prescribe and promulgate rules and regulations governing the establishment of

such centers, networks and laboratories as deemed necessary after conducting a
feasibility study in coordination with the DOH and other government agencies;
l) Receive, gather, collect and evaluate all information on the importation,

exportation, production, manufacture, sale, stocks, seizures of and the estimated
need for any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical,
for which purpose the Board may require from any official, instrumentality or
agency of the government or any private person or enterprise dealing in, or
engaged in activities having to do with any dangerous drug and/or controlled
precursors and essential chemicals such data or information as it may need to
implement this Act;
m) Gather and prepare detailed statistics on the importation, exportation,

manufacture, stocks, seizures of and estimated need for any dangerous drug
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and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals and such other statistical
data on said drugs as may be periodically required by the United Nations
Narcotics Drug Commission, the World Health Organization and other
international organizations in consonance with the country's international
commitments;
n) Develop and maintain international networking coordination with international

drug control agencies and organizations, and implement the provisions of
international conventions and agreements thereon which have been adopted
and approved by the Congress of the Philippines;
o) Require all government and private hospitals, clinics, doctors, dentists and other
practitioners to submit a report to it, in coordination with the PDEA, about all
dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals-related
cases to which they have attended for statistics and research purposes;
p) Receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal properties of all
kinds, to administer and dispose the same when necessary for the benefit of
government and private rehabilitation centers subject to limitations, directions
and instructions from the donors, if any;
q) Issue guidelines as to the approval or disapproval of applications for voluntary

treatment, rehabilitation or confinement, wherein it shall issue the necessary
guidelines, rules and regulations pertaining to the application and its
enforcement;
r) Formulate guidelines, in coordination with other government agencies, the

importation, distribution, production, manufacture, compounding, prescription,
dispensing and sale of, and other lawful acts in connection with any dangerous
drug, controlled precursors and essential chemicals and other similar or
analogous substances of such kind and in such quantity as it may deem necessary
according to the medical and research needs or requirements of the country
including diet pills containing ephedrine and other addictive chemicals and
determine the quantity and/or quality of dangerous drugs and precursors and
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essential chemicals to be imported, manufactured and held in stock at any given
time by authorized importer, manufacturer or distributor of such drugs;
s) Develop the utilization of a controlled delivery scheme in addressing the

transshipment of dangerous drugs into and out of the country to neutralize
transnational crime syndicates involved in illegal trafficking of any dangerous
drug and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals;
t) Recommend the revocation of the professional license of any practitioner who is

an owner, co-owner, lessee, or in the employ of the drug establishment, or
manager of a partnership, corporation, association, or any juridical entity owning
and/or controlling such drug establishment, and who knowingly participates in,
or consents to, tolerates, or abets the commission of the act of violations as
indicated in the preceding paragraph, all without prejudice to the criminal
prosecution of the person responsible for the said violation;
u) Appoint such technical, administrative and other personnel as may be necessary

for the effective implementation of this Act, subject to the Civil Service Law and
its rules and regulations;
v) Establish a regular and continuing consultation with concerned government

agencies and medical professional organizations to determine if balance exists in
policies, procedures, rules and regulations on dangerous drugs and to provide
recommendations on how the lawful use of dangerous drugs can be improved
and facilitated; and
w) Submit an annual and periodic reports to the President, the Congress of the
Philippines and the Senate and House of Representatives committees concerned
as may be required from time to time, and perform such other functions as may
be authorized or required under existing laws and as directed by the President
himself/herself or as recommended by the congressional committees concerned.
SEC. 82. Creation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). — To carry
out the provisions of this Act, the PDEA, which serves as the implementing arm of the
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Board, and shall be responsible for the efficient and effective law enforcement of all
the provisions on any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential
chemical as provided in this Act.
The PDEA shall be headed by a Director General with the rank of Undersecretary,
who shall be responsible for the general administration and management of the
Agency. The Director General of the PDEA shall be appointed by the President of the
Philippines and shall perform such other duties that may be assigned to him/her.
He/she must possess adequate knowledge, training and experience in the field of
dangerous drugs, and in any of the following fields: law enforcement, law, medicine,
criminology, psychology or social work.
The Director General of the PDEA shall be assisted in the performance of his/her
duties and responsibilities by two (2) deputies director general with the rank of
Assistant Secretary; one for Operations and the other one for Administration. The
two (2) deputies director general shall likewise be appointed by the President of the
Philippines upon recommendation of the Board. The two (2) deputies director
general shall possess the same qualifications as those of the Director General of the
PDEA. The Director General and the two (2) deputies director general shall receive
the compensation and salaries as prescribed by law.
SEC. 83. Organization of the PDEA. — The present Secretariat of the National Drug
Law Enforcement and Prevention Coordinating Center as created by Executive Order
No. 61 shall be accordingly modified and absorbed by the PDEA.
The Director General of the PDEA shall be responsible for the necessary changes in
the organizational set-up which shall be submitted to the Board for approval.
For purposes of carrying out its duties and powers as provided for in the succeeding
Section of this Act, the PDEA shall have the following Services, namely: Intelligence
and Investigation; International Cooperation and Foreign Affairs; Preventive
Education and Community Involvement; Plans and Operations; Compliance; Legal
and Prosecution; Administrative and Human Resource; Financial Management;
Logistics Management; and Internal Affairs.
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The PDEA shall establish and maintain regional offices in the different regions of the
country which shall be responsible for the implementation of this Act and the
policies, programs, and projects of said agency in their respective regions.
SEC. 84. Powers and Duties of the PDEA. — The PDEA shall:
a) Implement or cause the efficient and effective implementation of the national

drug control strategy formulated by the Board thereby carrying out a national
drug campaign program which shall include drug law enforcement, control and
prevention campaign with the assistance of concerned government agencies;
b) Undertake the enforcement of the provisions of Article II of this Act relative to

the unlawful acts and penalties involving any dangerous drug and/or controlled
precursor and essential chemical and investigate all violators and other matters
involved in the commission of any crime relative to the use, abuse or trafficking
of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical as
provided for in this Act and the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1619;
c) Administer oath, issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum relative to the
conduct of investigation involving the violations of this Act;
d) Arrest and apprehend as well as search all violators and seize or confiscate, the
effects or proceeds of the crimes as provided by law and take custody thereof,
for this purpose the prosecutors and enforcement agents are authorized to
possess firearms, in accordance with existing laws;
e) Take charge and have custody of all dangerous drugs and/or controlled
precursors and essential chemicals seized, confiscated or surrendered to any
national, provincial or local law enforcement agency, if no longer needed for
purposes of evidence in court;
f) Establish forensic laboratories in each PNP office in every province and city in
order to facilitate action on seized or confiscated drugs, thereby hastening its
destruction without delay;
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g) Recommend to the DOJ the forfeiture of properties and other assets of persons
and/or corporations found to be violating the provisions of this Act and in
accordance with the pertinent provisions of the Anti-Money-Laundering Act of
2001;
h) Prepare for prosecution or cause the filing of appropriate criminal and civil cases
for violation of all laws on dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential
chemicals, and other similar controlled substances, and assist, support and
coordinate with other government agencies for the proper and effective
prosecution of the same;
i) Monitor and if warranted by circumstances, in coordination with the Philippine

Postal Office and the Bureau of Customs, inspect all air cargo packages, parcels
and mails in the central post office, which appear from the package and address
itself to be a possible importation of dangerous drugs and/or controlled
precursors and essential chemicals, through on-line or cyber shops via the
internet or cyberspace;
j) Conduct eradication programs to destroy wild or illegal growth of plants from

which dangerous drugs may be extracted;
k) Initiate and undertake the formation of a nationwide organization which shall

coordinate and supervise all activities against drug abuse in every province, city,
municipality and barangay with the active and direct participation of all such
local government units and non-governmental organizations, including the
citizenry, subject to the provisions of previously formulated programs of action
against dangerous drugs;
l) Establish and maintain a national drug intelligence system in cooperation with

law enforcement agencies, other government agencies/offices and local
government units that will assist in its apprehension of big-time drug lords;
m) Establish and maintain close coordination, cooperation and linkages with

international drug control and administration agencies and organizations, and
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implement the applicable provisions of international conventions and
agreements related to dangerous drugs to which the Philippines is a signatory;
n) Create and maintain an efficient special enforcement unit to conduct an

investigation, file charges and transmit evidence to the proper court, wherein
members of the said unit shall possess suitable and adequate firearms for their
protection in connection with the performance of their duties: Provided, That no
previous special permit for such possession shall be required;
o) Require all government and private hospitals, clinics, doctors, dentists and other
practitioners to submit a report to it, in coordination with the Board, about all
dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals which
they have attended to for data and information purposes;
p) Coordinate with the Board for the facilitation of the issuance of necessary
guidelines, rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act;
q) Initiate and undertake a national campaign for drug prevention and drug control
programs, where it may enlist the assistance of any department, bureau, office,
agency or instrumentality of the government, including government-owned and
or -controlled corporations, in the anti-illegal drugs drive, which may include the
use of their respective personnel, facilities, and resources for a more resolute
detection and investigation of drug-related crimes and prosecution of the drug
traffickers; and
r) Submit an annual and periodic reports to the Board as may be required from
time to time, and perform such other functions as may be authorized or required
under existing laws and as directed by the President himself/herself or as
recommended by the congressional committees concerned.
SEC. 85. The PDEA Academy. — Upon the approval of the Board, the PDEA Academy
shall be established either in Baguio or Tagaytay City, and in such other places as may
be necessary. The PDEA Academy shall be responsible in the recruitment and training
of all PDEA agents and personnel. The Board shall provide for the qualifications and
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requirements of its recruits who must be at least twenty-one (21) years old, of
proven integrity and honesty and a Baccalaureate degree holder.
The graduates of the Academy shall later comprise the operating units of the PDEA
after the termination of the transition period of five (5) years during which all the
intelligence network and standard operating procedures of the PDEA has been set up
and operationalized.
The Academy shall be headed by a Superintendent, with the rank of Director. He/she
shall be appointed by the PDEA Director General.
SEC. 86. Transfer, Absorption, and Integration of All Operating Units on Illegal
Drugs into the PDEA and Transitory Provisions. — The Narcotics Group of the PNP,
the Narcotics Division of the NBI and the Customs Narcotics Interdiction Unit are
hereby abolished; however they shall continue with the performance of their task as
detail service with the PDEA, subject to screening, until such time that the
organizational structure of the Agency is fully operational and the number of
graduates of the PDEA Academy is sufficient to do the task themselves: Provided,
That such personnel who are affected shall have the option of either being
integrated into the PDEA or remain with their original mother agencies and shall,
thereafter, be immediately reassigned to other units therein by the head of such
agencies. Such personnel who are transferred, absorbed and integrated in the PDEA
shall be extended appointments to positions similar in rank, salary, and other
emoluments and privileges granted to their respective positions in their original
mother agencies.
The transfer, absorption and integration of the different offices and units provided
for in this Section shall take effect within eighteen (18) months from the effectivity of
this Act: Provided, That personnel absorbed and on detail service shall be given until
five (5) years to finally decide to join the PDEA.
Nothing in this Act shall mean a diminution of the investigative powers of the NBI
and the PNP on all other crimes as provided for in their respective organic laws:
Provided, however, That when the investigation being conducted by the NBI, PNP or
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any ad hoc anti-drug task force is found to be a violation of any of the provisions of
this Act, the PDEA shall be the lead agency. The NBI, PNP or any of the task force
shall immediately transfer the same to the PDEA: Provided, further, That the NBI,
PNP and the Bureau of Customs shall maintain close coordination with the PDEA on
all drug related matters.
ARTICLE X
Appropriations, Management of Funds and Annual Report
SEC. 87. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the operation of the Board
and the PDEA shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the Board,
the National Drug Law Enforcement and Prevention Coordinating Center, the
Narcotics Group of the PNP, the Narcotics Division of the NBI and other drug abuse
units of the different law enforcement agencies integrated into the PDEA in order to
carry out the provisions of this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for
the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.
All receipts derived from fines, fees and other income authorized and imposed in this
Act, including ten percent (10%) of all unclaimed and forfeited sweepstakes and lotto
prizes but not less than twelve million-pesos (P12,000,000.00) per year from the
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), are hereby constituted as a special
account in the general fund for the implementation of this Act: Provided, That no
amount shall be disbursed to cover the operating expenses of the Board and other
concerned agencies: Provided, further, That at least fifty percent (50%) of all the
funds shall be reserved for assistance to government-owned and/or operated
rehabilitation centers.
The fines shall be remitted to the Board by the court imposing such fines within
thirty (30) days from the finality of its decisions or orders. The unclaimed and
forfeited prizes shall be turned over to the Board by the PCSO within thirty (30) days
after these are collected and declared forfeited.
A portion of the funds generated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming
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Corporation (PAGCOR) in the amount of Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) a month
shall be set aside for the purpose of establishing adequate drug rehabilitation
centers in the country and also for the maintenance and operations of such
centers: Provided, That the said amount shall be taken from the fifty percent (50%)
share of the National Government in the income of PAGCOR: Provided, further, That
the said amount shall automatically be remitted by PAGCOR to the Board. The
amount shall, in turn, be disbursed by the Dangerous Drugs Board, subject to the
rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit (COA).
The fund may be augmented by grants, donations, and endowment from various
sources, domestic or foreign, for purposes related to their functions, subject to the
existing guidelines set by the government.
SEC. 88. Management of Funds Under this Act; Annual Report by the Board and the
PDEA. — The Board shall manage the funds as it may deem proper for the
attainment of the objectives of this Act. In addition to the periodic reports as may be
required under this Act, the Chairman of the Board shall submit to the President of
the Philippines and to the presiding officers of both houses of Congress, within
fifteen (15) days from the opening of the regular session, an annual report on the
dangerous drugs situation in the country which shall include detailed account of the
programs and projects undertaken, statistics on crimes related to dangerous drugs,
expenses incurred pursuant to the provisions of this Act, recommended remedial
legislation; if needed, and such other relevant facts as it may deem proper to cite.
SEC. 89. Auditing the Accounts and Expenses of the Board and the PDEA. — All
accounts and expenses of the Board and the PDEA shall be audited by the COA or its
duly authorized representative.
ARTICLE XI
Jurisdiction Over Dangerous Drugs Cases
SEC. 90. Jurisdiction. — The Supreme Court shall designate special courts from
among the existing Regional Trial Courts in each judicial region to exclusively try and
hear cases involving violations of this Act.
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The number of courts designated in each judicial region shall be based on the
population and the number of cases pending in their respective jurisdiction.
The DOJ shall designate special prosecutors to exclusively handle cases involving
violations of this Act.
The preliminary investigation of cases filed under this Act shall be terminated within
a period of thirty (30) days from the date of their filing.
When the preliminary investigation is conducted by a public prosecutor and a

probable cause is established, the corresponding information shall be filed in court
within twenty-four (24) hours from the termination of the investigation. If the
preliminary investigation is conducted by a judge and a probable cause is found to
exist, the corresponding information shall be filed by the proper prosecutor within
forty-eight (48) hours from the date of receipt of the records of the case.
Trial of the case under this Section shall be finished by the court not later than sixty
(60) days from the date of the filing of the information. Decision on said cases shall
be rendered within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of submission of the
case for resolution.
SEC. 91. Responsibility and Liability of Law Enforcement Agencies and other
Government Officials and Employees in Testing as Prosecution Witnesses in
Dangerous Drugs Cases. — Any member of law enforcement agencies or any other
government official and employee who, after due notice, fails or refuses intentionally
or negligently, to appear as a witness for the prosecution in any proceedings,
involving violations of this Act, without any valid reason, shall be punished with
imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years
and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), in addition to
the administrative liability he/she may be meted out by his/her immediate superior
and/or appropriate body.
The immediate superior of the member of the law enforcement agency or any other
government employee mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall be penalized with
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imprisonment of not less than two (2) months and one (1) day but not more than six
(6) years and a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more
than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) and in addition, perpetual absolute
disqualification from public office if despite due notice to them and to the witness
concerned, the former does not exert reasonable effort to present the latter to the
court.
The member of the law enforcement agency or any other government employee
mentioned in the preceding paragraphs shall not be transferred or re-assigned to any
other government office located in another territorial jurisdiction during the
pendency of the case in court. However, the concerned member of the law
enforcement agency or government employee may be transferred or re-assigned for
compelling reasons: Provided, That his/her immediate superior shall notify the court
where the case is pending of the order to transfer or re-assign, within twenty-four
(24) hours from its approval: Provided further, That his/her immediate superior shall
be penalized with imprisonment of not less than two (2) months and one (1) day but
not more than six (6) years and a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos
(P10,000.00) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) and in addition,
perpetual absolute disqualification from public office, should he/she fail to notify the
court of such order to transfer or re-assign.
Prosecution and punishment under this Section shall be without prejudice to any
liability for violation of any existing law.
SEC. 92. Delay and Bungling in the Prosecution of Drug Cases. — Any government
officer or employee tasked with the prosecution of drug-related cases under this Act,
who, through patent laxity, inexcusable neglect, unreasonable delay or deliberately
causes the unsuccessful prosecution and/or dismissal of the said drug cases, shall
suffer the penalty of imprisonment ranging from twelve (12) years and one (1) day to
twenty (20) years without prejudice to his/her prosecution under the pertinent
provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
SEC. 93. Reclassification, Addition or Removal of Any Drug from the List of
Dangerous Drugs. — The Board shall have the power to reclassify, add to or remove
Page 69 of 74
from the list of dangerous drugs. Proceedings to reclassify, add, or remove a drug or
other substance may be initiated by the PDEA, the DOH, or by petition from any
interested party, including the manufacturer of a drug, a medical society or
association, a pharmacy association, a public interest group concerned with drug
abuse, a national or local government agency, or an individual citizen. When a
petition is received by the Board, it shall immediately begin its own investigation of
the drug. The PDEA also may begin an investigation of a drug at any time based upon
the information received from law enforcement laboratories, national and local law
enforcement and regulatory agencies, or other sources of information.
The Board after notice and hearing shall consider the following factors with respect
to each substance proposed to be reclassified, added or removed from control:
a) Its actual or relative potential for abuse;
b) Scientific evidence of its pharmacological effect if known;
c) The state of current scientific knowledge regarding the drug or other
substance;
d) Its history and current pattern of abuse;
e) The scope, duration, and significance of abuse;
f) Risk to public health; and
g) Whether the substance is an immediate precursor of a substance already
controlled under this Act.
The Board shall also take into accord the obligations and commitments to
international treaties, conventions and agreements to which the Philippines is a
signatory.
The Dangerous Drugs Board shall give notice to the general public of the public
hearing of the reclassification, addition to or removal from the list of any drug by
publishing such notice in any newspaper of general circulation once a week for two
(2) weeks.
The effect of such reclassification, addition or removal shall be as follows:

a) In case a dangerous drug is reclassified as precursors and essential chemicals,
the penalties for the violations of this Act involving the two latter categories
Page 70 of 74
of drugs shall, in case of conviction, be imposed in all pending criminal
prosecutions;
b) In case a precursors and essential chemicals is reclassified as dangerous drug,

the penalties for violations of the Act involving precursors and essential
chemicals shall, in case of conviction, be imposed in all pending criminal
prosecutions;
c) In case of the addition of a new drug to the list of dangerous drugs and
precursors and essential chemicals, no criminal liability involving the same
under this Act shall arise until after the lapse of fifteen (15) days from the last
publication of such notice;
d) In case of removal of a drug from the list of dangerous drugs and precursors
and essential chemicals, all persons convicted and/or detained for the use
and/or possession of such a drug shall be automatically released and all
pending criminal prosecution involving such a drug under this Act shall
forthwith be dismissed; and
e) The Board shall, within five (5) days from the date of its promulgation submit
to Congress a detailed reclassification, addition, or removal of any drug from
the list of dangerous drugs.
ARTICLE XII
Implementing Rules and Regulations
SEC. 94. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The present Board in consultation
with the DOH, DILG, DOJ, DepEd, DSWD, DOLE, PNP, NBI, PAGCOR and the PCSO and
all other concerned government agencies shall promulgate within sixty (60) days the
Implementing Rules and Regulations that shall be necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act.
Page 71 of 74
ARTICLE XIII
Final Provisions
SEC. 95. Congressional Oversight Committee. — There is hereby created a

Congressional Oversight Committee composed of seven (7) Members from the
Senate and seven (7) Members from the House of Representatives. The Members
from the Senate shall be appointed by the Senate President based on the
proportional representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at least two (2)
Senators representing the Minority. The Members from the House of
Representatives shall be appointed by the Speaker, also based on proportional
representation of the parties or coalitions therein with at least two (2) Members
representing the Minority.
The Committee shall be headed by the respective Chairpersons of the Senate

Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs and the House of Representatives
Committee on Dangerous Drugs.
SEC. 96. Powers and Functions of the Oversight Committee. — The Oversight
Committee on Dangerous Drugs shall, in aid of legislation, perform the following
functions, among others;
a) To set the guidelines and overall framework to monitor and ensure the proper
implementation of this Act;
b) To ensure transparency and require the submission of reports from

government agencies concerned on the conduct of programs, projects and
policies relating to the implementation of this Act;
c) To approve the budget for the programs of the Oversight Committee on

Dangerous Drugs and all disbursements therefrom, including compensation
of all personnel;
d) To submit periodic reports to the President of the Philippines and Congress on

the implementation of the provisions of this Act;
Page 72 of 74
e) To determine inherent weaknesses in the law and recommend the necessary
remedial legislation or executive measures; and
f) To perform such other duties, functions and responsibilities as may be

necessary to effectively attain the objectives of this Act.
SEC. 97. Adoption of Committee Rules and Regulations, and Funding. — The
Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs shall adopt its internal rules of procedure,
conduct hearings and receive testimonies, reports, and technical advice, invite or
summon by subpoena ad testificandum any public official, private citizen, or any
other person to testify before it, or require any person by subpoena duces
tecum documents or other materials as it may require consistent with the provisions
of this Act.
The Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs shall be assisted by a secretariat to be

composed by personnel who may be seconded from the Senate and the House of
Representatives and may retain consultants.
To carry out the powers and functions of the Oversight Committee on Dangerous
Drugs, the initial sum of Twenty-five million pesos (P25,000,000.00) shall be charged
against the current appropriations of the Senate. Thereafter, such amount necessary
for its continued operations shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.
The Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs shall exist for a period of ten (10)
years from the effectively of this Act and may be extended by a joint concurrent
resolution.
SEC. 98. Limited Applicability of the Revised Penal Code. — Notwithstanding any
law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the provisions of the Revised Penal Code (Act
No. 3814), as amended, shall not apply to the provisions of this Act, except in the
case of minor offenders. Where the offender is a minor, the penalty for acts
punishable by life imprisonment to death provided herein shall be reclusion perpetua
to death.
Page 73 of 74
SEC. 99. Separability Clause. — If for any reason any section or provision of this Act,
or any portion thereof, or the application of such section, provision or portion
thereof to any person, group or circumstance is declared invalid or unconstitutional,
the remainder of this Act shall not be affected by such declaration and shall remain
in force and effect.
SEC. 100. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act No. 6425, as amended, is hereby
repealed and all other laws, administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.
SEC. 101. Amending Clause. — Republic Act No. 7659 is hereby amended accordingly.
SEC. 102. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Page 74 of 74

R.A. No. 8493 and R.A. No. 9165

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R.A. No. 8493 and R.A. No. 9165

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REPUBLIC ACT NO.

8493, February 12, 1998

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in

SEC. 2. Mandatory Pre-Trial in Criminal Cases. – In all criminal cases cognizable by

SEC. 3. Pre-Trial Agreement. – All agreements or admissions made or entered into

SEC. 4. Nonappearance at Pre-Trial Conference. – Where counsel for the accused or

SEC. 9. Extended Time Limit. – Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7 of this

1) delay resulting from an examination of the accused, and hearing on his/her

5) delay resulting from orders of inhibition, or proceedings relating to change of

6) delay resulting from a finding of the existence of a valid prejudicial question;

d) If the information is dismissed upon motion of the prosecution and thereafter a

No continuance under subparagraph (f) of Section 10 shall be granted because of

d) otherwise willfully fails to proceed to trial without justification consistent with

1) in the case of a counsel privately retained in connection with the defense of

2) by imposing on any appointed counsel de officio or public prosecutor a fine

3) by denying any defense counsel or public prosecutor the right to practice

Approved, February 12, 1998.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in

It is further declared the policy of the State to provide effective mechanisms or

d) Chemical Diversion. - The sale, distribution, supply or transport of legitimately

f) Confirmatory Test. - An analytical test using a device, tool or equipment with a

g) Controlled Delivery. - The investigative technique of allowing an unlawful or

h) Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals. - Include those listed in Tables I

i) Cultivate or Culture. - Any act of knowingly planting, growing, raising, or

k) Deliver. - Any act of knowingly passing a dangerous drug to another, personally

m) Dispense. - Any act of giving away, selling or distributing medicine or any

n) Drug Dependence. - As based on the World Health Organization definition, it is a

r) Illegal Trafficking. - The illegal cultivation, culture, delivery, administration,

s) Instrument. - Any thing that is used in or intended to be used in any manner in

t) Laboratory Equipment. - The paraphernalia, apparatus, materials or appliances

u) Manufacture. - The production, preparation, compounding or processing of any

v) Cannabis or commonly known as "Marijuana" or "Indian Hemp" or by its any

w) Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or commonly known as "Ecstasy", or

x) Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or commonly known as "Shabu", "Ice", "Meth",

y) Opium. - Refers to the coagulated juice of the opium poppy (Papaver

ag) School. - Any educational institution, private or public, undertaking educational

ah) Screening Test. - A rapid test performed to establish potential/presumptive

ak) Use. - Any act of injecting, intravenously or intramuscularly, of consuming, either

SEC. 4. Importation of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential

SEC. 5. Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution and

If the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution or

If the victim of the offense is a minor or a mentally incapacitated individual, or

SEC. 6. Maintenance of a Den, Dive or Resort. — The penalty of life imprisonment to

SEC. 8. Manufacture of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and

The presence of any controlled precursor and essential chemical or laboratory

a) Any phase of the manufacturing process was conducted in the presence or

b) Any phase or manufacturing process was established or undertaken within

d) Any clandestine laboratory was concealed with legitimate business operations;

e) Any employment of a practitioner, chemical engineer, public official or

SEC. 9. Illegal Chemical Diversion of Controlled Precursors and Essential

SEC. 10. Manufacture or Delivery of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus, and Other

SEC. 11. Possession of Dangerous Drugs. — The penalty of life imprisonment to

1) 10 grams or more of opium;

SEC. 12. Possession of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus and Other Paraphernalia

The possession of such equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia

SEC. 13. Possession of Dangerous Drugs During Parties, Social Gatherings or

SEC. 14. Possession of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus and Other Paraphernalia

SEC. 15. Use of Dangerous Drugs. — A person apprehended or arrested, who is

SEC. 16. Cultivation or Culture of Plants Classified as Dangerous Drugs or are

SEC. 17. Maintenance and Keeping of Original Records of Transactions on