GMA seeks mandatory drug tests for athletes

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has proposed mandatory drug tests for all professional and non-professional athletes in the country.

Arroyo authored House Bill 5690 or “an act requiring drug tests for professional and non-professional athletes, amending for the purpose Section 36 of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.”

Article 3 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act requires drug testing for specific individuals. Among those required to undergo drug testing are applicants for driver’s license, applicants for firearm’s license, employees of private and public offices and students.

The list provided in Article 3 does not include the country’s athletes, Arroyo pointed out.

“Fitness and health are among the primary concerns of athletes. Since the use of performance-enhancing drugs has negative side effects on the body, athletes should be prevented from using such substances. PEDs do not only damage the body, they are also considered as cheats in the sports world,” Arroyo said.

She noted that a big part of an athlete’s career is dedicated to intense physical training and strenuous exercise to stay in shape, which is key to a successful career in sports. Athletes also face constant pressure to improve their skills and abilities to remain at a competitive level and increase their chances of winning.

“The competitive drive to win can be fierce. Some take it very seriously that they turn to taking performance-enhancing drugs,” she said.

PEDs are substances that boost the body’s physical capabilities and therefore improve one’s performance. But taking PEDs has its consequences as these may, according to medical experts, cause hypertension, heart problems and psychiatric disorders, among several other serious illnesses, she said.