SEN. GRACE POE SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
ON SB 2139 AMENDMENTS TO THE ANTI-WIRETAPPING LAW

Mr. President, distinguished colleagues:

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, I have the honor today to sponsor Senate Bill No. 2139 under Committee Report No. 463. This measure takes into consideration two Senate bills filed by Senator Honasan and this representation, and the approved House Bill 6107 by Representatives Belmonte, Ferrer, Sema, Bataoil and Pagdilao.

This bill seeks to amend Section 3 of Republic Act No. 4200 or the Anti-Wiretapping Law, in that it exempts law enforcement agencies who are conducting illegal drug operations from the realm of Anti-Wiretapping Law, subject still to due process. This bill, once enacted into law, will be beneficial in providing assistance to our law enforcement agencies and strengthening the government's ability to prosecute drug cases.

Illegal drugs is a persisting problem in our country. According to the Dangerous Drugs Board, about 1.7 million Filipinos are engaged in illicit drugs, which represents a 200,000 increase from the number of drugs users two (2) years ago.

However, drug syndicates have become more apparent and cunning in getting away with the law. We continue to push for legislation that will help our authorities prosecute illegal drug perpetrators, as earlier we have passed an amendment to Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

To support our proposal as contained in this legislation, wire-tapping has been used to solve major crimes such as terrorism and drug trafficking in the United States. Wiretapping has helped established the flow of drugs and the structure of syndicates and how they are managed from the source to the market. The heads of syndicate and financiers are not exposed during criminal activity. It is not easy to prove their participation in trade, but recorded conversations can establish their involvement.

Mr. President,

I appeal for the Philippine Senate's favorable consideration in passing this measure. Patuloy po nating bigyang halaga ang nasisirang buhay--at ang karagdagang buhay na maaapektuhan--dahil sa iligal na droga. Layunin po natin bilang mga mambabatas ang bigyang proteksyon ang ating mga mamamayan at ang mga pamilya laban sa iligal na droga.

Maraming salamat po, Mr. President.