The Supreme Court has issued a framework on plea bargaining in illegal drugs cases to enable drug offenders to avail themselves of such arrangement. In its Plea Bargaining Network made public Friday, the high court clarified that plea bargaining is not allowed in drug cases where the imposable penalty is life imprisonment or death. Also, the high court reiterated that plea bargaining is also prohibited under Section 5 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. Section 5 of RA 9165 penalizes sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of all kinds of dangerous drugs. In its ruling, the high court declared as unconstitutional the prohibition against plea bargaining in Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 04, 2018 09:33 UTC