Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto Makes Move To Ensure “Drug-Free Workplace”
TITO SOTTO – The Senate Minority Leader penned a letter to Senate President Chiz Escudero calling for mandatory drug testing of all officials and employees.
Amid the silence of impeachment talks involving the decision of the Senate, the upper chamber is currently facing another issue — a foul odor allegedly caught the attention of a staff of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA).
The said OSAA report went further to linking Nadia Montenegro, a staff member of Senator Robin Padilla’s office, to joint usage inside the Senate premises. Reportedly, the said foul odor was noticed inside the Senate premises twice but it was only during this August incident that someone was in the area — Nadia Montenegro.
According to Nadia, the odor might be coming from her vape. Nadia Montenegro was told to take a leave effective immediately amid the issues. She denied using “Maryjane” inside the Senate premises and referred to her vape.
Recently, amid the issue that sparked different reactions and opinions from the people, Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto called for a mandatory drug testing. Based on a report on PhilStar, he wants it done immediately.
Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto penned a letter to Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero over his call for a mandatory drug testing among all the officials and employees of the upper chamber. Based on a report on PhilStar, he recalled that in 2018, the Senate carried out a random drug testing.
According to Sotto, the said random drug testing done in the Senate in 2018 was aligned to the mandate of the Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Civil Service Commission Resolution No. 1700653 mandating random drug tests for public officials and employees, and Senate Policy Order 2018-002.
Based on the report, Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto emphasized that the move is also in line with ensuring that they maintain a “drug-free workplace” and uphold the moral of the Senate. He wants the drug testing done immediately.
“To maintain a drug-free workplace, I am asking that a mandatory random drug testing be immediately conducted in the Senate in accordance with the pertinent policy order in place,” Sotto stated.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero confirmed receiving the letter of Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto as per the report. The Senate Chief also thanked the Minority Leader for his initiative.
Based on the report, Escudero said a more detailed response outlining the steps to be taken may be released by his office. Recently, amid the issue, Nadia Montenegro resigned from being a staff member of Sen. Robin Padilla’s office.