Palace: Proposed drug test for poll bets well-meaning but problematic
Malacañang said that the proposal of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to have election candidates undergo a mandatory drug test has good intentions but is problematic.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace acknowledges the proposal of the PDEA as it aims to make the public more well-informed about the candidates in next year's pools.
"The Palace wishes to clarify that it does not dismiss in toto PDEA's proposal to conduct mandatory drug testing of political aspirants for next year's elections," Panelo said Saturday.
"In fact, we recognize it as part of PDEA's intention to educate the public by making them well-informed in casting their votes," he added.
Panelo, however, said that the mandatory drug test would serve as another requirement outside those already stated by law, making it problematic.
"What we see, however, as problematic is the proposed conduct of such tests for those seeking a seat in Congress, whether in the Senate or in the House of Representatives, in the upcoming elections," he said.
Panelo argued that the Supreme Court has already pronounced, in the case of Social Justice Society v. Dangerous Drugs Board, that mandatory drug testing for senators is not allowed as it imposes additional qualifications beyond the provision of the Constitution
"In other words, even a law directing such mandatory drug tests will be struck down as unconstitutional," he explained.
The Palace official also said that an extensive review of the said case also reveals that the prohibition is limited to elective officials whose qualifications and eligibility requirements are prescribed by the Constitution.
"Our take from the case is that the said testing is permitted for local government candidates because Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 has validly amended the Local Government Code in so far as their qualifications and eligibility requirements are concerned," Panelo said.
Panelo, however, assured that the Palace is not disregarding PDEA's proposal and will study it further.
While doing so, he encouraged the political aspirants to voluntarily undergo drug test to allow voters to be educated about the candidates.
"The Palace has yet to discuss the specific conditions and procedures concerning the proposal with the PDEA. The Office of the President shall first consider and evaluate these in order to make a learned decision on the matter," he said.
" In the meantime, we maintain our suggestion that those who seek public offices in the 2019 elections voluntarily submit themselves to drug testing for this is an initial step towards equipping our electorate with substantial information as they exercise their right of suffrage," he added.