Sotto defends bill creating new drug enforcement body

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Saturday defended the measure he proposed creating a new anti-drug body amid opposition from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

Sotto's bill seeks to establish the Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority (PRDEA) to replace the PDEA and DDB.

The PDEA and the DDB, however, opposed the creation of the PRDEA, claiming this would compromise the progress made in the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

The Senate President said that the anti-drug bodies do not seem to get the intention of the bill, as this will only strengthen their powers and functions.

"'Yung Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority na gusto kong ma-create lalo silang lalakas at wala na silang ibang boss," Sotto said during the weekly news forum at the Annabel's restaurant in Quezon City.

Once approved, the PRDEA will consolidate all anti-narcotics operations and offices into one, he said.

"I suggest, they study muna because it makes them stronger... all narcotic enforcement officers will be under them," Sotto said. — MDM, GMA News