TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
Senate
25 AUG 28 A9 36
RECEIVED m.
1303
Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo
AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING SECTION 21 OF REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 9165, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
“COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002”,
AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10640
EXPLANATORY NOTE
For years, the Philippine National Poliee has increased its reliance 
on media representatives to act as signatories to the inventory of 
contraband and other items seized during anti-drug operations. This 
practice, however, has always been met with resistance by both individual 
journalists and media groups from all over the country.
Under Section 21 (1) of Republic Act No. 9165, or the 
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 media representatives are 
required to be signatories in the inventory of confiscated drugs and other 
drug-related items.
Although this provision has since been amended by Republic Act 
No. 10640, enacted on July 15, 2014, which made media witnesses 
optional, journalists throughout the country report that law enforcement
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units continue requiring them to sign on as witnesses, often as a condition 
for being allowed to cover anti-drug operations.
Media representatives who refuse to participate risk losing access to 
their sources or being cut off from the usual channels of information. 
Beyond this obvious coercion and the attempt to control information of 
vital public interest, the Philippine media groups’ opposition to this 
practice arises from two serious concerns. First, it unnecessarily exposes 
media representatives to retaliation from crime syndicates. Second, it 
places them in danger of being prosecuted for perjury or other offenses 
should irregularities arise in the conduct of anti-drug operations.
To end this dangerous and unfair practice, it is imperative to protect 
media representatives from harm as well as to help ensure that their 
reporting remains objective and factual by exempting them from being 
signatories in the inventory of confiscated drugs and other drug-related 
items.
ERWIN T. TULFO


.Vi#-* -.''A 
'
Senate
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
o£ tljf SH'trftaip
25 AUG 28 A9 36
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.l303
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo
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AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING SECTION 21 OF REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 9165, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
“COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002”, 
AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10640
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SEC. 1. Section 21 of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as 
the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002" as amended by 
Republic Act 10640, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 21. Custody and Disposition of Confiscated, Seized, 
and/or Surrendered Dangerous Drugs, Plant Sources of 
Dangerous Drugs, Controlled Precursors and Essential 
Chemicals, Instruments/Paraphernalia and/or Laboratory 
Equipment. - The PDEA shall take charge and have custody 
of all dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, 
controlled precursors and essential chemicals, as well as 
instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment so 
confiscated, seized and/or surrendered, for proper disposition 
in the following manner:


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"(1) The apprehending team having initial custody and control 
of the dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential 
chemicals, instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory 
equipment shall, immediately after seizure and confiscation, 
conduct a physical inventory of the seized items and 
photograph the same in the presence of the accused or the 
person/s from whom such items were confiscated and/or 
seized, or his/her representative or counsel, with an elected 
public official and a representative of the National 
Prosecution Service [OR THE MEDIA] who shall be 
required to sign the copies of the inventory and be given a 
copy thereof: Provided, That the physieal inventory and 
photograph shall be conducted at the place where the search 
warrant is served; or at the nearest police station or at the 
nearest office of the apprehending officer/team, whichever is 
practicable, in case of warrantless seizures: Provided, finally. 
That noncompliance of these requirements under justifiable 
grounds, as long as the integrity and the evidentiary value of 
the seized items are properly preserved by the apprehending 
officer/team, shall not render void and invalid such seizures 
and custody over said items."
SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty 
(30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Philippine Drug 
Enforcement Agency (PDEA) shall issue the necessary guidelines on 
the IRR for the purpose in consultation with the Department of Justice 
(DOJ) and relevant sectors for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is 
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the 
provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or 
issuances, executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative 
orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly.


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SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
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after its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.
Approved,