WHEREAS, Administrative Order (AO) No. 253 dated January 29, 2009 prescribed the automatic review of the decisions and resolutions of the Secretary of Justice involving dismissal of cases under Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002;

WHEREAS, said AO has unnecessarily delayed the disposition of drug cases, and has clogged the docket of the Office of the President;

WHEREAS, its repeal shall ensure that all drug cases shall be disposed of with expediency.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby repeal Administrative Order No. 253 dated January 29, 2009. All cases pending before the Office of the President pursuant to said Administrative Order shall be returned back to the Department of Justice for their appropriate disposition.

This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 14th day of March in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.
 

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.

Executive Secretary