SENATOR Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is eyeing graver penalties for individuals who will leak government’s classified documents either by crafting a new law or amending existing laws.
The former PNP chief and now senator raised this as he noted that the current laws against leakage of documents appear to be useless.
“It seems like that law hasn’t been felt. It’s not being used. It’s not being feared. So, let’s emphasize, let’s see if we can amend it, increase the penalty, impose a graver penalty, or create a new law that will solely address that, so that these people who recklessly leak classified documents will be afraid,” said Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
He said the current law on anti-leakage is neither felt nor feared that is why it needs to be amended with stiffer penalties.
Currently, Dela Rosa said this offense can only be penalized under Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
“What if our security classified documents, the top secret ones, end up in China or in the hands of our enemies? What will happen to the Philippines? It will be in ruins. So, we really need to take action on that through legislation,” added dela Rosa.
Dela rosa stressed the need to ammend the law, he questioned that what if the classified documents would end up on our country’s enemy?
The former top cop is leading the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee investigation into the leaked documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The Senate committee is set to continue its investigation on May 13.
