Kimberly Capuyan

Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her support for a bill that will require government officials to undergo mandatory random drug testing every six months.

Photo Courtesy of Manila Bulletin.

“Yes, of course, oo. Unang una dapat talaga mapanigurado nating lahat na nasa tamang pag-iisip yung ating mga public officials, kasama na ako doon,” Duterte said in an interview last August 15.

House Bill No. 10744 proposed on August 12 by Duterte’s brother, Davao City First District Congressman Paolo Duterte, seeked to amend provisions of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The bill mandated government officials, including the President, to take a hair follicle initial drug test.

Confirmatory tests for government officials, whether appointed or elected, will be done using urine drug tests.

“Considering the initiatives towards the deterrence of drug use and abuse, exemptions or favors in the mandatory nature of random drug testing shall not extend to certain class privilege such as the elected and appointed officials, since it becomes imperative upon their own mandate that they shall lead the life of modesty and integrity,” the exploratory note of Duterte’s bill read.

The bill also encouraged electoral candidates to undergo drug tests 90 days before the election day.

Lawmakers, however, expressed their concern about the constitutionality of the proposed house bill and its possible legal challenges.

In a press conference on Aug. 13, PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles cited a Supreme Court ruling that declared mandatory drug testing exceeds the qualifications for senators specified by the 1987 Constitution.

“There is a Supreme Court case already that deemed mandatory drug testing unconstitutional if it’s included as one of the qualifications for a candidate, as the Constitution itself determines those qualifications,” Nograles said.

“Sana this applies to all, hindi lang mag-single out,” she added.

Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Almario, called for a thorough examination to ensure that the bill will genuinely serve the public interest.

Last month, former president Rodrigo Duterte challenged President Ferdinand Marcos to undergo a hair follicle drug test to deny allegations of the latter’s drug use.