CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Philippine National Police Region III Director Aaron Aquino on Tuesday disclosed that actor Mark Anthony Fernandez may rot in jail if proven guilty of the cases filed against him.
Fernandez was recently arrested by police in a checkpoint in Angeles City for possession of about one kilo of marijuana in his vehicle.
The actor did not deny he was carrying marijuana but insisted that he used it to prevent cancer, the disease which killed his father, the late actor Rudy Fernandez.
He added that his doctor advised him and his mother, actress Alma Moreno to take marijuana for medical purposes.
"Gamot ko yun pang kontra cancer. Ang alam ko at pagkakaintindi ko ay gusto nilang (gawing) legal ang marijuana. Hindi ako nag-atubili na bumili," he said in an interview.
"Hindi yan para ubusin ng isang araw. Pang matagalan yan, parang sigarilyo," Fernandez added.
However, Aquino said the actor's claim was a mere alibi that allegedly has no legal or medical basis.
He added that the Fernandez' alleged doctor may also be held liable criminally for giving unlawful prescription.
Aquino said that they have already filed charges against Fernandez for violation of Sections 5, 11 and 12 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act.
He explained that transportation of prohibited drugs is sanctioned with life imprisonment and no bail as stated in Section 5 of the law.
"He may stay in prison for the rest of his life if he is proven guilty of the charges filed against him," he said.
