Mar Roxas Defends Ifugao Rep Teddy Baguilat, Who Was Offended Over Rep Albano’s Marijuana Joke

Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat Jr. was greatly offended by a marijuana joke recently made by Isabela 1st District Representative Rodolfo “Rody” Albano III, who authored House Bill No. 180, seeking to legalize medical marijuana. But while he was criticized for being sensitive, former DILG Mar Roxas was quick to defend his partymate.



In his official Twitter account, Rep. Teddy Baguilat quoted Rep. Albano’s joke when defended his bill before the House plenary. “This is medicinal and only a doctor can prescribe. If you want to buy recreational marijuana, go to Cordillera,” Albano said. In his defense, the Ifugao Representative tweeted the quote, and followed it with “Hey!!”

Shortly, netizens commented on Rep. Baguilat’s tweet, saying that it was only a joke and that he should not be “pikon.” Some of them said that he should not be offended because there are really a lot of marijuana plantations in Cordillera. But in an ambush interview, Mar Roxas defended Baguilat, who is now Liberal Party’s vice president for internal affairs.

“Bilang isang representative ng lugar mo, masakit na biruin ka na maraming marijuana sa inyo. At for the record, halos wala nang marijuana sa Cordillera ngayon. Ito ay dahil sa pagsisikap natin nung tayo ay nasa DILG pa. Pero kung meron man uli, masasabi natin na maaaring ito ay bunga ng kapabayaan ng mga namumuno ngayon.” Mar Roxas said.

However, it should be recalled that during the election campaign period, Mar Roxas once said that he knows where to buy shabu. “There are drugs in Davao. If you want, I can bring you there. We can buy drugs in Davao. The same is true in Makati. There are drugs in Makati. We can buy shabu, we can buy cocaine. I know that! ” He said at that time.



Meanwhile, the House committee on health approved Albano’s bill last September. Once it becomes a law, the Department of Health (DOH) will create Medical Cannabis Compassionate Centers, which will regulate the use of medical marijuana. In addition, a research facility will be established to conduct more studies on marijuana's palliative properties.

Contributed by Renato Pasayao