Senate President Tito Sotto criticized the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for failing to effectively eliminate illegal drugs in the country during a February 25 Senate hearing.
He proposed Senate Bill 190, which seeks to abolish PDEA and the Dangerous Drugs Board, consolidating their functions under a new Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority with supervisory powers.
Sotto argued that PDEA has focused too heavily on enforcement while neglecting prevention and rehabilitation, citing failures in the drug war and controversies such as the “tokhang” campaign.
PDEA Deputy Director General Renato Gumban opposed the bill, noting that the agency was already established to consolidate anti-drug efforts across law enforcement units.
Sotto stressed that addressing drug abuse requires a holistic approach, emphasizing that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem of addiction.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 26, 2026
