House Solon Reacts To Call of Sen. Robin Padilla for Mandatory Drug Testing among All Gov’t Officials
ROBIN PADILLA – House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan described the call of the Senator for mandatory drug testing among all government officials including the president as allegedly “drama and gimmick” only.
The Senate was surrounded by issues after a staff of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) reported a foul and suspicious odor coming from the restroom of the Senate’s 5th floor. It was reportedly the second time around that the said odor hooked attention.
However, in July when the odor first hooked attention, no one was there. This August, actress Nadia Montenegro was found as the only one in the area when an OSAA staff member noticed the suspicious odor. The actress is a staff member in the office of Sen. Robin Padilla.
Nadia Montenegro denied smoking ‘Maryjane’ inside the Senate restroom. She was told to immediately take a leave but not long after it, the actress resigned. Amid the issue, Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto penned a letter to Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero suggesting a mandatory drug testing for all officials and employees of the upper chamber.
Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto claimed that a mandatory drug testing among all Senate officials and employees will ensure a “drug-free workplace” and uphold the moral of the chamber. The Senate President confirmed receiving the letter of Sotto.
However, while Sotto was proposing for a mandatory drug testing that will cover only Senate officials and employees, actor-turned-Senator Robin Padilla wanted mandatory drug testing among all government officials including the President. He filed the Senate Bill 1200 or the “Drug Free Government Act”.
Padilla’s proposed measure seeks to amend the 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. Once passed into law, it will require all government officials to undergo drug testing annually.
Furthermore, the Senate Bill 1200 covers all elected and appointed officials of the government as well as government instrumentalities or government owned and controlled corporations. In case the result of the drug test is positive, it can be a ground for termination from service.
However, recently, a House solon described the move of Sen. Robin Padilla calling for mandatory drug testing among all government officials including the president as allegedly “drama and gimmick” only. Based on a report on Bandera, the claim was from House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan.
According to the House Minority Leader, Sen. Robin Padilla is just allegedly driving away the public attention from the controversy that one of the members of his staff is accused of using joint. Based on the report, the House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, he is not protecting any individual but Malacañang. According to him, the Office of the President should not be put to shame.
Malacañang has yet to comment on the call of Padilla. Visibly, the President is busy in uncovering the possible anomalies in the flood control projects of the government. However, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero’s name was linked to a flood control project contractor named by Marcos Jr.