The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee looking into the P6.4-billion shabu shipment smuggled from China is lining up a package of remedial legislation updating protocols for handling illegal-drugs seizures.
Sen. Richard J. Gordon, Blue Ribbon chairman, confirmed on Monday the panel is drafting at least five proposals for inclusion in a committee report recommending amendments to the existing dangerous drugs law.
Gordon made the disclosure following another hearing on the 604 kilos of shabu seized by authorities from a warehouse in Valenzuela after the container van carrying the contraband was allowed to pass through the Port of Manila without being inspected by the Bureau of Customs.
The senator said the committee is not ready to wrap up the inquiry as it still needs to tie up loose ends, even as Gordon admitted that the panel will be drawing up remedial measures to be submitted to the Senate plenary for enactment into law. The committee also intents to conduct further hearings on the illegal-drugs menace.
Among the remedial legislation being finalized, Gordon said, are amendments in existing law that will require arresting authorities to immediately report drug seizures and burning of seized drugs as soon as possible to prevent “recycling”.
He added that the committee will also recommend that the Supreme Court adopt a policy to “facilitate burning” of illegal drugs and require submission of records on disposition of confiscated drug supplies.
Gordon said the committee is likewise mulling over the enactment of remedial legislation that will authorize seizure and immediate issuance of freeze orders on assets of arrested drug lords.