Police to name bets positive in drug test

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 is in favor of publicly naming election candidates who would test positive in a surprise drug test that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is planning to conduct.

“If mag-positive unang una, sanctions. Ikaduha it’s up to the PDEA pud as they know better what to do. And ikatulo we (other government offices) will let the public know na ang kandidato nag-positive diay,” PRO-7 director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas said yesterday.

Sinas said the PDEA-7 is the agency tasked to lead the surprise drug test and that the PRO-7 will only be assisting.

If a candidate voluntarily submits himself to a drug test and tests positive, it would be normal to undergo rehabilitation.

PDEA-7 Director Wardley Getalla was not available for comment as of press time.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino earlier said they would conduct surprise drug tests on election candidates.

“We will have a conference.

When they arrive, the conference room will be padlocked, nobody will go out,” said Aquino, as quoted in an earlier report.

The urine sample will be submitted to the respective PDEA personnel, and will undergo examination for traces of illegal drugs.

Sinas said he also received the same pronouncements from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde to support PDEA's efforts.

“The Chief PNP has the same pronouncement, we will support, we will help them conduct the drug tests if they need the assistance,” he said.

IN FAVOR OF DRUG TEST

Cebu City mayoralty bet and incumbent Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella is in favor of PDEA's plan to subject candidates to surprise drug tests, saying law offenders should not be in public service.

He said the plan of PDEA is in accordance with the existing laws which mandate government officials, employees and others to undergo drug test.

“That is in consonance with my advocacy that those in public service must be drug free, must not be using drugs because aside from the fact that they are public servants but they are also models. There is a requirement under accountability of public office provision that our public officials must be physically, mentally healthy,” Labella said.

Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) Councilor Sisinio Andales said he is not against the drug testing, but it should be optional.

“Although that is (not) required under the Constitution og sa Omnibus Election Code, yet I am not against to undergo drug testing but not compulsory one,” he said.

NOT A REQUIREMENT

Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said that such measure is unconstitutional. He said that a negative drug test result is not a qualification for aspirants.

Cebu City North District Election Officer Marchel Sarno said they cannot compel election bets to take the drug test since it was not provided in the Constitution.

He said the Supreme Court has earlier ruled that requiring candidates to undergo random drug test is unconstitutional in nature.

“Pero sauna gi-require to sa balaod nga i-drug test ang kandidato kay naa man to sa R.A 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002) pero gi-struck sa Supreme Court nga unconstitutional. Ang kuan ato is if imong ibutang ang drug test qualification, mahimo na siya og another requirements or another qualification sa usa ka kandidato,” he said.

While the legality of conducting a surprise drug test for candidates is in question, some officials agree that it will be more advantageous for the aspirants if they voluntary subject themselves.

Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO) Chief Carmen Ivy Durano-Meca also favors the suggestion.

However, she said that it should be voluntary, unlike for current government employees and officials.

Drug testing is mandatory under the Civil Service Code and the mandate of the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) is to ensure drug-free workplaces.

“I am for it, personally. Mas maayo nga mandatory because public officials should be role models,” she said.