FILE PHOTO: Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa during a hearing at the Senate on November 23, 2022. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Former national police chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is a confessed “hardline” and “real” anti-illegal drug advocate, but he currently has a soft spot for legalizing marijuana for medical use.
During Monday’s hearing of the Senate committee on health and demography, he said he understands the fears of government officials about possible abuse if a law allowing medicinal marijuana is enacted, but he appealed to them to open their hearts and minds to give the measure a try.
He said those against the proposal to make marijuana legal for curative use should consider the measure’s benefits for patients who need it.
READ: Medical marijuana can contribute to economy, gov’t projects — Robin Padilla
“Alam ko itong grupo na ito ay — tapos ka na sa mga pro, ‘di ba Mr. Chairman?” dela Rosa asked committee chair Senator Robinhood Padilla. “Lahat naman, ‘yong pro saka anti, puro para sa kabutihan nating lahat ‘di ba, but ang sa akin lang is, try kaya nating, let’s put our hearts and minds to this possibility?”
(I know this group is already composed of the anti, right, Mr. Chairman? All of us, those in the pro and the anti, want what’s good for us, but I want to say, why don’t we try to put our hearts and minds…
