Is this a bit harsh or is it just right?
Citing alarming statistics on drug trafficking and use in the country, Quezon Rep. Aleta Suarez filed House Bill 4150 to amend Section 11 of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Currently, the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of PHP500,000 to PHP10 million may be imposed on any person if found guilty of possession a certain quantity of narcotics, as detailed in Section 11 of RA 9165.
At present, the following are the minimum quantities of drugs that would qualify for life imprisonment are the following: 10 grams for opium; morphine, heroin, or cocaine; marijuana resin or marijuana resin oil; ecstasy, lysergic acid diethylamine and others.
Possession of a minimum 50 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride and 500 grams of marijuana can also be punished with life imprisonment.
Suarez wants all of these considerations done away with.
A Manila Bulletin report noted: “Suarez sought the amendment of Section 11 of RA 9165 on the possession of dangerous drugs so that the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from PHP1 million to PHP10 million shall be imposed upon any person, who, unless authorized by law, shall possess any dangerous drug regardless of the quantity and the degree and purity thereof.”
Bottom line: Anyone who possesses a trace of illegal drugs will get a life sentence. (Plus, that proposed fine is pretty hefty, too.)
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Screengrab from a YouTube clip
