Almost half of the drug cases filed since President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. took office in July 2022 have led to convictions, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported Tuesday.
From July 2022 to August 2025, PDEA filed 1,802 drug cases, of which 837 or 46.45 percent ended in conviction. Meanwhile, 462 cases (25.64 percent) were dismissed, while 503 cases (27.91 percent) resulted in acquittal.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez said the agency has shifted its focus from arrests to convictions, stressing the importance of solid case build-up and coordination with the National Prosecution Service.
“We are not just counting arrests, we are focused on convictions. Every conviction is a victory for justice and a message to drug syndicates that they will face the full force of the law,” Nerez said.
He added that the results reflect President Marcos’ vision of a Bagong Pilipinas where the rule of law is fair, impartial, and accessible to all.
The PDEA chief also urged the public to support the anti-drug campaign. “Our fight does not end with the arrest, it ends when justice is served and drug offenders are behind bars where they belong,” he said.