Compulsory Submission and Court Proceedings
- If a person charged with an offense is found drug dependent at any stage, proceedings are suspended and case records transmitted to the Dangerous Drugs Board.
- The Board may petition for compulsory commitment if public interest requires it, filed in courts having jurisdiction.
- Courts must take judicial notice of prior case proceedings and determine drug dependency with medical certification.
- Committed individuals are subject to treatment progress reporting every four months.
- Upon rehabilitation certification, the dependent is discharged and prosecution may proceed, with prior confinement deducted from penalties where applicable.
- Prescription periods for offenses are suspended during confinement in treatment centers.
Composition and Functioning of the Dangerous Drugs Board
- The Board is composed of six ex officio members: Secretaries or representatives of Health, Justice, National Defense, Education, Finance, and Social Welfare.
- The Secretary of Health serves as Chairman.
- The Director of the National Bureau of Investigation acts as permanent consultant.
- Members receive a per diem for each meeting; representatives of members also receive per diem.
- The Board meets upon the call of the Chairman or two members; quorum is four members.
- An executive committee of three members or personnel may act on behalf of the Board when necessary.
- An executive director is appointed with qualifications in relevant fields and is compensated accordingly.
Jurisdiction and Judicial Procedures
- The Court of First Instance, Circuit Criminal Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court have concurrent jurisdiction; Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over offenders under sixteen.
- Preliminary investigations must conclude within 30 days.
- If a prima facie case exists after investigation by a prosecuting officer, information must be filed within 24 hours; where a judge conducts investigation, filing follows within 48 hours after receipt of the records.
- Trials must be completed within 90 days of information filing, with decisions rendered within 15 days after case submission.
Effectivity
- The amendments take immediate effect upon promulgation.