DAVAO City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte has filed House Bill 10744 to implement a ‘mandatory random drug test’ for all appointed and elected government officials nationwide.
The proposal includes the President of the Philippines, as well as those applying for a driver’s license, employees in both private and public sectors, particularly those in GOCCs.
It is proposed that they undergo a hair follicle drug test, with a urine drug test for confirmation.
The bill also states that this should be done for all government officials every six months.
According to Congressman Duterte, it is only right that government officials prove they are complying with the law by undergoing drug tests.
“It is imperative that public officials and government employees should be the very first to uphold such a Constitutional mandate by submitting themselves to accountability measures that serve as a tool in addressing the fulfillment of this mandate,” according to Rep. Paolo Duterte on House Bill 10744.
Congressman Duterte also pointed out that this is what is stated in the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and that government officials are not exempt from it.
“This is the rationale behind the compulsory nature of drug testing in Section 36 of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” Rep. Paolo Duterte added.
Former Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles believes that the call for drug testing for President Bongbong Marcos Jr. is growing stronger, especially now that there is legislative action pushing for him to undergo a hair follicle test.
Former BBM Press Secretary: Calls for drug testing for Marcos Jr. intensifies
“The use of drugs by public officials, if they are users, presents an interest in protecting that use. Now, we know very clearly that this is against the Dangerous Drugs Act, and therefore, we should not protect drug users,” stated Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Former Press Secretary
Cruz-Angeles stated that the Constitution clearly mandates transparency for government officials, making it important for them to respond to the call for drug testing.
“A person who needs to work and make daily decisions that affect the public must be in the right state of mind and in good health to make those decisions. These decisions should be informed, logical, and based on available information,” Cruz-Angeles added.
Judging from netizens’ comments, the majority of Filipinos are calling for the President to undergo a drug test.
This comes after videos emerged linking Marcos Jr. to illegal drug use, including testimony from witness Cathy Binag, who confirmed Marcos Jr.’s alleged involvement in illegal drug use.
“We are not asking for random drug testing just to catch a crime because that’s only one aspect of it. We want to determine if a government employee is still fit to continue in their position, considering the possibility that their brain or health may be affected,” Cruz-Angeles added.
