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Advocates Philippines
Senator Sotto Pushes For Unified Drug Enforcement Body To Strengthen Philippines' Fight Against Illegal Drugs
Photo credit: Vicente Sotto
In an effort to boost the country’s decades-long battle against illegal drugs and substance abuse, Senate Minority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III has introduced a bill seeking to amend the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, or Republic Act 9165 — a law he originally authored more than two decades ago.
The proposed measure outlines the creation of a new centralized agency, the Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA), which would take charge of four key pillars in the country’s anti-drug strategy: enforcement, prosecution, prevention, and rehabilitation. Sotto believes that bringing these efforts under one roof is essential to improving coordination, accountability, and long-term results.
"The law, as presently formulated, needs retrofitting, so to speak, like any structure or machine in constant use for 23 years now," he said, stressing that without strategic supervision of enforcement activities, national anti-drug efforts may continue to fall short.
According to the senator, a critical flaw in the current approach is its lack of balance. While enforcement has often taken center stage, other aspects like prevention and rehabilitation have not been fully implemented — especially by agencies such as the Department of Education and the Department of Health, which play key roles in public education and recovery programs.
Sotto emphasized the importance of a holistic strategy: "The war against illegal drugs and drug abuse has failed to adopt a holistic approach. Prevention and rehabilitation must be given equal focus to ensure long-term success."
Looking ahead, the senator’s proposal aims to make the country’s anti-drug campaign more efficient, sustainable, and humane. He underscored the urgency of the issue, stating, "It is the goal of every nation and generation to have peace and order to bring about security, harmony, and economic stability. All these so we may achieve a drug-free Philippines for the future generations. There is no better time to cure this social illness than now."
Sotto’s bill is now under review, and if passed, the establishment of the Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority could mark a significant shift in how the Philippines confronts one of its most persistent social challenges.
The proposed measure outlines the creation of a new centralized agency, the Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA), which would take charge of four key pillars in the country’s anti-drug strategy: enforcement, prosecution, prevention, and rehabilitation. Sotto believes that bringing these efforts under one roof is essential to improving coordination, accountability, and long-term results.
"The law, as presently formulated, needs retrofitting, so to speak, like any structure or machine in constant use for 23 years now," he said, stressing that without strategic supervision of enforcement activities, national anti-drug efforts may continue to fall short.
According to the senator, a critical flaw in the current approach is its lack of balance. While enforcement has often taken center stage, other aspects like prevention and rehabilitation have not been fully implemented — especially by agencies such as the Department of Education and the Department of Health, which play key roles in public education and recovery programs.
Sotto emphasized the importance of a holistic strategy: "The war against illegal drugs and drug abuse has failed to adopt a holistic approach. Prevention and rehabilitation must be given equal focus to ensure long-term success."
Looking ahead, the senator’s proposal aims to make the country’s anti-drug campaign more efficient, sustainable, and humane. He underscored the urgency of the issue, stating, "It is the goal of every nation and generation to have peace and order to bring about security, harmony, and economic stability. All these so we may achieve a drug-free Philippines for the future generations. There is no better time to cure this social illness than now."
Sotto’s bill is now under review, and if passed, the establishment of the Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority could mark a significant shift in how the Philippines confronts one of its most persistent social challenges.
Aug 4, 2025
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