Pubdate: Tue, 20 Sep 2005
Source: Mindanao Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Mindanao Times.
Contact:  http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2980
Author: Romeo R. Braceros Jr.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

SC URGES CONGRESS TO REVISE DRUG LAW

THE SUPREME Court has asked the House of Representatives to amend the
provision in Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002) that
mandates judges to resolve newly filed drug cases in their sala within
60 days and to hand their decision 15 days after the 60 days time
frame has lapsed.

SC deputy court administrator Christopher Lock told reporters
yesterday that instead of helping in the fast disposition of drug
charges, this provision instead adds burden to the judiciary since
judges are mandated to finish the trial of these cases within the
prescribed period.

Lock said due to this provision, the number of prisoners continues to
rise since those arrested for illegal drugs will continue to linger in
jail until their cases are resolved by the court.

"Many of the prisoners will remain in the jail as they will just have
to wait for their turn to be tried in court since the special drug
court judge will just have to finish the case of the drug offender who
was arrested before him to follow the 60 days provided by law," he
said.

The deputy court administrator said it is better that Congress deletes
this provision and  follow the usual court procedure of 90 days for
every judge to resolve the pending cases in their sala.

Lock said while awaiting the revision of the drug law, he will do his
best to appoint a permanent Regional Trial Court Branch 9 judge in
Davao City before the year ends to ease the burden of acting special
drug court and RTC executive judge Renato Fuentes of RTC Branch 17.
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