Section 63. Prescription of the Offense Charged Against a Drug Dependent Under the Compulsory Submission Program. —

The period of prescription of the offense charged against a drug dependent under the compulsory submission program shall not run during the time that the drug dependent is under confinement in a Center or otherwise under the treatment and rehabilitation program approved by the Board.

Upon certification of the Center that he/she may temporarily be discharged from the said Center, the court shall order his/her release on condition that he/she shall report to the Board through the DOH for after-care and follow-up treatment for a period not exceeding eighteen (18) months under such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Board.

If at anytime during the after-care and follow-up period, the Board certifies to his/her complete rehabilitation, the court shall order his/her final discharge from confinement and order for the immediate resumption of the trial of the case for which he/she is originally charged. Should the Board through the DOH find at anytime during the after-care and follow-up period that he/she requires further treatment and rehabilitation, it shall report to the court, which shall order his/her recommitment to the Center.

Should the drug dependent, having been committed to a Center upon petition by the Board escape therefrom, he/she may resubmit himself/herself for confinement within one (1) week from the date of his/her escape; or his/her parent, spouse, guardian or relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity may, within the same period, surrender him for recommitment. If, however, the drug dependent does not resubmit himself/herself for confinement or he/she is not surrendered for recommitment, the Board may apply with the court for the issuance of the recommitment order. Upon proof of previous commitment, the court shall issue an order for recommitment. If, subsequent to such recommitment, he/she should escape again, he/she shall no longer be exempt from criminal liability for use of any dangerous drug.

A drug dependent committed under this particular Section who is finally discharged from confinement shall be exempt from criminal liability under Section 15 of this Act, without prejudice to the outcome of any pending case filed in court. On the other hand, a drug dependent who is not rehabilitated after a second commitment to the Center shall, upon conviction by the appropriate court, suffer the same penalties provided for under Section 15 of this Act again without prejudice to the outcome of any pending case filed in court.