7000

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 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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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 he 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 Sec. 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.chanrobles virtualaw library

6000

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 Sec. 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 Sec. .chanrobles virtualaw library

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 Sec. 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 nongovernmental civil organizations accredited by the DSWD, with the recommendation of the Board.chanrobles virtualaw library

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 Sec. 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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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.

If, subsequent to a recommitment, the dependent once again escapes from confinement, he/she shall be charged for violation of Sec. 15 of this Act and he subjected under section 61 of this Act, either upon order of the Board or upon order of the court, as the case may be.chanrobles virtualaw library

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.chanrobles virtualaw library

5000

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 Sec. 47 of this Act with the end in view of achieving a drug free workplace.chanrobles virtualaw library

Sec. 50. Government Assistance. The labor sector and the respective partners may, in pursuit of the programs mentioned in the preceding Sec. , 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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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;cralaw

(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.chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

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 Sec. 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 Sec. .

This Article does not restrict the right of any person to proceed under the Civil Code against any public nuisance.

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 Sec. 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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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 Sec. 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 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;cralaw

(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;cralaw

(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.chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

4000

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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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 drugs, and referral for treatment and rehabilitation of students for drug dependence.chanrobles virtualaw library

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;cralaw

(2) Preventive measures against drug abuse;cralaw

(3) Health, socio-cultural, psychological, legal and economic dimensions and implications of the drug problem;cralaw

(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, theIMPORTANCE 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.chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

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 Sec. 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 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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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 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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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.

3000

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).

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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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 other personnel as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this provision.chanrobles virtualaw library

Sec. 40. Records Required for Transactions on Dangerous Drug 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;cralaw

(2) Name, address and license of the manufacturer,IMPORTER or wholesaler from whom the dangerous drugs have been purchased;cralaw

(3) Quantity and name of the dangerous drugs purchased or acquired;cralaw

(4) Date of acquisition or purchase;cralaw

(5) Name, address and community tax certificate number of the buyer;cralaw

(6) Serial number of the prescription and the name of the physician, dentist, veterinarian or practitioner issuing the same;cralaw

(7) Quantity and name of the dangerous drugs sold or delivered; and

(8) Date of sale or delivery.chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

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.

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.

1000

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 theIMPORTATION, 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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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 this Act shall, after service of sentence, be deported immediately without further proceedings, unless the penalty is death.chanrobles virtualaw library

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.chanrobles virtualaw library

Sec. 33. Immunity from Prosecution and Punishment. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 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;cralaw

(2) Such information and testimony are not yet in the possession of the State;cralaw

(3) Such information and testimony can be corroborated on its material points;cralaw

(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

(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.chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

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.chanrobles virtualaw library

Sec. 34. Termination of the Grant of Immunity. The immunity granted to the informant or witness, as prescribed in Sec. 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 Sec. 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 Sec. hereof, such individual cannot avail of the provisions under Article VIII of this Act.chanrobles virtualaw library

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, 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.

09999

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;cralaw

(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;cralaw

(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 shall be issued on the completed forensic laboratory examination on the same within the next twenty-four (24) hours;cralaw

(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 item/s of lawful commerce, as determined by the Board, shall be donated, used or recycled for legitimate purposes: Provided, further, That a representative sample, duly weighed and recorded is retained;cralaw

(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;cralaw

(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;cralaw

(7) After the promulgation and judgment in the criminal case wherein the representative sample/s was presented as evidence in court, the trial prosecutor 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 Sec. shall be implemented by the DOH.chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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 Code shall be applicable.chanrobles virtualaw library

Sec. 26. Attempt or Conspiracy. 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;cralaw

(b) Sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical;cralaw

(c) Maintenance of a den, dive or resort where any dangerous drug is used in any form;cralaw

(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.chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

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.

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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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.chanrobles virtualaw library

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.chanrobles virtualaw library