MANILA – Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian proposed to penalize owners of warehouses used as laboratories and storages in the manufacturing and distribution of illegal drugs.
On his Senate Bill No. 1225, the incumbent senator sought to amend the Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Under the bill, owners or lessors of houses, buildings, warehouses, or any edifice utilized as storage facilities or laboratories for the manufacture of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors, or essential chemicals will face the penalty of imprisonment ranging from 12 years and one day to 20 years, and a fine from ₱100,000.00 to ₱500,000.00.
“It seeks to place the onus on the property owner or lessor to ensure that his property and premises are not utilized as a clandestine laboratory for the manufacturing or storage of dangerous drugs or chemicals used as raw materials for these banned substances,” Gatchalian said.
Maximum penalty shall be imposed upon the owner, lessor, or person having the authority to lease the property, if such person had prior knowledge that the property and its premises will be utilized to manufacture or store dangerous drugs.
However, if the property subject of the lease was government-owned, government officials or employees who failed to observe the requirement of diligent inspection mandated under the bill shall be subjected to absolute perpetual disqualification from public office in addition to the maximum penalty imposable.
If the property subject of lease was owned by a partnership, corporation, association or any juridical entity, the person liable under the law shall be the partner, president, director, manager, trustee, estate executor or administrator, or their duly authorized representative.
“With the passage of this bill, it is expected that owners will be more circumspect in leasing their properties because of the liability they will face under the law,” Gatchalian said. “Drug manufacturing activities should be abated under this initiative.” /PN
