THE confirmation of the appointment of Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd may hit a snag if he will insist on the passage of the bill that seeks to allow the use of marijuana for select medical cases. Senate majority leader Vicente Sotto 3rd, a member of the Commission on Appointments, vowed to oppose Duque’s confirmation if the health secretary will push the bill that seeks to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. “If he insists on the bill, I will object to his confirmation,” said Sotto, a known anti-drug advocate. Duque has expressed support to the proposal allowing the compassionate use of marijuana or cannabis which is being sought under House Bill 180 or the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Bill. Senate health committee chair Joseph Victor Ejercito in an earlier interview said that he is open to the idea of medical marijuana provided that security measures are in place to prevent abuse.

Source: Manila Times November 02, 2017 16:18 UTC