5 cagers urged to seek rehab

Sen. Renato Cayetano has urged the five Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players found positive for illegal drug use to voluntarily submit themselves to detoxification "in order to set a positive example for their families, friends, fans and the youth."

"The PBA would do well to encourage the (drug-positive) players to seek treatment of their (drug) dependency on their own accord," Cayetano said.

He warned the players they would likely find themselves "in a more difficult situation" later on if they are found positive for drug use again, or worse, actually caught carrying drugs.

"If they test positive the second time, assuming they are allowed to play again after their suspension, the Dangerous Drugs Board may petition them for compulsory treatment," Cayetano said.

Under the New Dangerous Drug Act, the DDB may petition the compulsory rehabilitation of an alleged drug dependent before a regional trial court.

If the court finds merit in the DDB petition, the judge may order the respondent (to the petition) to be examined by two accredited physicians. If both physicians conclude that the respondent is not a drug dependent, the court shall then order his discharge.

If either physician finds the respondent to be a dependent, the court shall conduct a hearing and consider all relevant evidence. If the court finds the respondent to be a dependent, the judge shall order the respondent’s commitment to a Department of Health-supervised rehabilitation center.

The five players that earlier tested positive for drug use in random tests were Asi Taulava and Norman Gonzales of Talk & Text, Dorian Peña of San Miguel Beer, Jimwell Torion of Red Bull and Alex Crisano of Ginebra.

"Once they test positive the second time, and they are petitioned for compulsory rehabilitation, more harm will come to them, their families and their careers," Cayetano pointed out.