The Palace said Tuesday those convicted of drug-related offenses should be included in the proposed separate jail facility for those guilty of heinous crimes.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after the Senate approved Senate Bill 1055, which will create a separate facility for people convicted of heinous crimes.
Among the heinous crimes listed were treason, piracy and mutiny on the high seas in Philippine waters, qualified piracy, qualified bribery, parricide, murder, infanticide, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention, robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, destructive arson and rape.
Panelo also criticized Vice President Leni Robredo for allegedly trying to grab the “spotlight” and becoming “relevant” with her drug war report.
Robredo has deferred her report a number of times, looking for “perfect timing and hoping that people would pay attention to her as she struggles to be relevant while the government is silently doing its job,” Panelo said.
“Her decision to call a press briefing to announce that there is no press briefing while flashing her 40-page report reveals that she only wants the spotlight,” Panelo said.
Meanwhile, GMA Network Inc. wants the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to reveal the names of its artists allegedly involved in illegal drugs.
In a statement, it said “GMA Network strictly adheres to its company-wide drug-free policy.
“In line with this, the Network seeks to be informed of the names of the media personalities allegedly included in the PDEA’s drug watch list to enable us to undertake appropriate measures as deemed necessary.” With Rio N. Araja
PDEA director general Aaron Aquino said lawmakers and other politicians, including barangay officials, police officers and personalities from the media and showbiz industry were among those in the government’s drug list.
Panelo said drug trafficking should be included in the list of heinous crimes since it was “equally the same if not more” heinous to those crimes listed.
“It is the most dreaded evil that has descended on all cities of the world. It has caused the dysfunction of families, it has destroyed families,” Panelo told reporters.
President Rodrigo Duterte has waged a nationwide campaign against illegal drugs since he took office in 2016. With Rio N. Araja
“The Heinous Crimes Facility shall be located in a secure and isolated place, ensuring that there is no unwarranted contact or communication with those outside of the penal facilities,” the bill says.
The definition of “heinous crimes” in the measure was borrowed from the defunct Republic Act 7659 that imposed the death penalty.
If passed into law, the Bureau of Corrections would take charge in transferring “high level heinous crimes offenders” to the new facility. With Rio N. Araja