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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 633
25 JUL16 P4:15
Rl'CElV-iJ
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
F0R A SIMPLIFIED process for the admission of drug
DEPENDENTS IN GOVERNMENT DRUG REHABILITATION FACILITIES 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 54, AND 77 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO7
actof’Iooz WISE KN0WN As THE comprehensive dangerous drugs
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 
deciares it a policy of the State to "provide effective mechanisms or measures to 
reintegrate into society individuals who have fallen victims to drug abuse or dangerous 
drug dependence through sustainable programs of treatment and rehabilitation." 
Under this law, a drug dependent who voluntary chooses to be admitted in a 
rehabilitation and treatment facility must secure a court order. This makes the process 
cumbersome for those just wanting voluntary treatment.
Drug dependents should be treated as victims in dire need of medical, 
psychological, and spiritual help, with a chance of being successfully reintegrated into 
society as a healthy and productive citizen. Thus, the process of committing to 
rehabilitation should be simplified for them.
This bill seeks to simplify the process of drug rehabilitation admission by 
requiring petitions to be filed before the Dangerous Drugs Board instead of going 
through tedious court proceedings.


In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER6 /VRENCE "BONG" T. GO


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 
Go3
25 JiJL 16 P4 :15
RECEIVli'J';
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A SIMPLIFIED PROCESS FOR THE ADMISSION OF DRUG 
DEPENDENTS IN GOVERNMENT DRUG REHABILITATION FACILITIES 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 54, AND 77 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9165, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS 
ACT OF 2002
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Section 54 of Republic Act 9165 is hereby amended to read as
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follows:
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"Section 54. Voluntary Submission of a Drug Dependent to Confinement,
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Treatment and Rehabiiitation. - A drug dependent, fer any person who violates Section
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15 of this Act] may, by himself/herself or through his/her parent, spouse, guardian or
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relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, [appiy to the Board or its
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recognized rcprcGcntativc, for treatment and rehobilitation of the drug
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dependency] FILE A VERIFIED APPLICATION TO THE BOARD, OR ITS DULY 
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE, FOR VOLUNTARY CONFINEMENT FOR 
TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION.
UPON RECEIPT OF THE VERIFIED APPLICATION, THE BOARD OR ITS 
DULY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE SHALL ORDER THAT THE APPLICANT 
OR THE PERSON IN WHOSE BEHALF THE APPLICATION IS FILED, BE


EXAMINED FOR DRUG DEPENDENCY BY TWO (2) DOH-ACCREDITED 
PHYSICIANS WITH BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE ON 
PSYCHOLOGICAL/BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE. SUCH EXAMINATION SHALL 
INCLUDE EVALUATION OF THE EXTENT OF DRUG ABUSE OF THE 
APPLICANT, WHICH INCLUDES HISTORY TAKING, INTAKE INTERVIEW, 
DETERMINATION OF THE CRITERIA FOR DRUG DEPENDENCY, MENTAL AND 
PHYSICAL STATUS, AND THE DETECTION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS IN THE 
BODY SPECIMENS THROUGH LABORATORY PROCEDURES.
IF BOTH PHYSICIANS CONCLUDE THAT THE APPLICANT IS A DRUG 
DEPENDENT, THE BOARD SHALL ORDER HIS/HER IMMEDIATE 
CONFINEMENT AND TREATMENT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE 
PHYSICIANS. IF ONLY ONE FINDS THE APPLICANT TO BE A DRUG 
DEPENDENT, THE BOARD SHALL CONDUCT A HEARING AND CONSIDER ALL 
RELEVANT EVIDENCE, WHICH MAY BE OFFERED. {Upon such applicotion, the 
Beard shall bring forth the matter to the Court, which shall order that the applicant be 
examined for drug dependency. If the examination by a DOH accredited physician 
result: in the issuance of a certification that the applicant is a drug dependent, he/she
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shan bG ordGrGd by the Court to undergo treatment and rehabilitation In a Center
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designated by the Board]
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THE ORDER OF CONFINEMENT AND TREATMENT MAY BE IN A 
GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTER 
DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD, AT THE OPTION OF THE APPLICANT. 
TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION SHALL BE FREE OF CHARGE IN 
GOVERNMENT-RUN REHABILITATION CENTERS. THE APPLICANT SHALL 
BEAR THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION COSTS IF HE/SHE OPTED TO 
BE TREATED IN A PRIVATE REHABILITATION INSTITUTION. SUCH 
CONFINEMENT SHALL BE for a period of not less than six (6) months: Provided, 
That a drug dependent may be placed under the care of a DOH-accredited physician 
where there is no Center near or accessible to the residence of the drug dependent
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or where said drug dependent is below eighteen (18) years of age and is a first-time
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offender and non-confinement in a Center will not pose a serious danger to his/her


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family or the community. Confinement in a Center for treatment and rehabilitation
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shall not exceed one (1) year, after which time fthc Court, as well as] the Board, shall
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be apprised by the head of the treatment and rehabilitation center of the status of
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said drug dependent and determine whether further confinement will be for the
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welfare of the drug dependent and his/her family or the community."
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Sec. 2. Section 77 of Republic Act 9165 is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"Section 77. The Dangerous Drugs Board. - The Board shall be the policy-
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making and strategy-formulating body in the planning and formulation of policies and
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programs on drug prevention and control. It shall develop and adopt comprehensive,
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Integrated, unified and balanced national drug abuse prevention and control strategy.
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It shall be under the Office of the President.
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THE BOARD SHALL HAVE QUASI-JUDICIAL POWER TO DETERMINE 
THE DRUG DEPENDENCY OF A PERSON AND ISSUE A CONFINEMENT ORDER 
IN RELATION TO THE VOLUNTARY APPLICATION FOR REHABILITATION 
AND TREATMENT OF DRUG DEPENDENTS. ANY PERSON AGGRIEVED BY AN 
ORDER OR DECISION OF THE BOARD, IN RELATION TO THE CONFINEMENT 
AND TREATMENT ORDER FOR DRUG DEPENDENTS, MAY APPEAL THE 
ORDER OR DECISION TO THE COURT OF APPEALS BY PETITION FOR 
REVIEW IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF THE 
RULES OF COURT."
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Sec. 3. Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Health and the Dangerous
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Drugs Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, issue the
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necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
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remain in full force and effect.
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Sec■ 5‘ RePealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions
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thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed,
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amended or modified accordingly.


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Sec. 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from
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publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,