Statement of Malacañang on Senate Bill Filed by Sen. Robin Padilla for Mandatory Drug Testing among All Gov’t Officials
Malacañang reacted to the call of Senator Robin Padilla for mandatory drug testing among all the government officials including the president.
The Senate was hooked by controversy over an alleged use of ‘Maryjane’ inside the chamber’s restroom. The accusation pointed to actress Nadia Montenegro, a staff member of the office of Sen. Robin Padilla.
The issue accusing Sen. Robin Padilla’s staff member Nadia Montenegro of allegedly using joint inside the Senate premises came after a report of a foul and suspicious odor inside the Senate’s restroom in the 5th floor of the building. Reportedly, the only person there was the actress.
Montenegro was told to immediately take a leave. The actress claimed that it was probably the scent from the vape that she’s using that caught the attention of the staff of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA). Then, Malacañang was mum on the issue.
Amid the issue, Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto proposed for a mandatory drug testing among all Senate officials and employees. The Senate Minority Leader saw an urgent need for it to uphold the moral of the chamber.
The seasoned Senator penned a letter to Senate President Chiz Escudero. According to him, it is also in line with the pursuit to ensure a “drug-free workplace”.
However, while Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto wants an immediate mandatory drug testing among the Senate officials and employees, Sen. Robin Padilla wants the mandatory drug testing required among all the officials of the government including the president.
Padilla filed the Senate Bill 1200 which will be known as the “Drug Free Government Act”. Once passed into law, it will amend Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 to mandate hair follicle testing for screening and urine drug test for confirming a positive hair follicle drug test.
The proposed measure of the actor-turned-Senator will require an annual mandatory drug testing among all elected and appointed government officials, government instrumentalities, or government-owned and controlled corporations, in the country and overseas.
Recently, Malacañang reacted to the call of Sen. Robin Padilla for a mandatory drug testing among all the officials of the government including the president. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro explained that it is “against the law”.
The Malacañang press official reminded Sen. Robin Padilla of a 2008 ruling which declared a 2004 Comelec Resolution that required all national and local candidates of the 2004 elections to undergo mandatory drug testing as “unconstitutional”. She stressed that mandatory drug testing is prohibited by the law.
“Ito ay labag sa konstitusyon at sa privacy kung lahat po. ‘Pag sinabi po nating lahat, universal testing – mandatory universal or universal testing,” Castro said.
Based on the report, the Palace official said the law only allows mandatory random testing. Meanwhile, in the case of private sector employers, the mandatory drug testing is allowed as part of the pre-employment process.
“Baka magsayang lang po ng oras at pera o pondo si Senator Robin Padilla. Aralin po muna niya po ang nais niyang gawing batas,” the Malacañang official said.
When asked to clarify if the Palace is not in favor of the proposal of the Senator, Atty. Claire Castro claimed she is not categorically saying that the Marcos admin is against it. She stressed that it is against the law.
“Iyan ay labag sa batas,” the Malacañang press official said.
Previously, amid the issue, Sen. Robin Padilla office’s staff member Nadia Montenegro resigned.