Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto Wants To Ensure Senate’s a “Drug-Free Workplace”
TITO SOTTO – The Senate Minority Leader called for a mandatory drug test among all the officials and employees of the upper chamber.
The Senate is currently surrounded by issues and controversies amid the allegations that a staff member of the upper chamber allegedly smoked inside the Senate premises. The accusations pointed to actress Nadia Montenegro, a staff member of actor-turned-Senator Robin Padilla.
The issue sparked due to a suspicious odor coming from the women’s restroom near the extension offices of the senators. The Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) made a report on the issue. Last July 2025, an OSAA personnel checked the vicinity where the same foul odor arose but no one was there.
A similar incident occurred again on August 12, 2025 and a male staff from the office of Sen. Ping Lacson reported it. Reportedly, at that time, Nadia Montenegro was the only one present in the area.
Amid the issues, Nadia Montenegro denied smoking “Maryjane” inside the Senate restroom but admitted to having vape. According to the actress, the odor noticed by the staff of Sen. Lacson might be coming from it. Recently, Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto proposed for a mandatory drug test among all the officials and employees of the upper chamber.
Based on a report on PhilStar, Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto penned a letter to Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero over his proposal for a mandatory drug testing of all officials and employees of the upper chamber. According to him, doing so will be a step to uphold the efficiency, morale, accountability, and integrity of the chamber.
“To maintain a drug-free workplace, I am asking that a mandatory random drug testing be immediately conducted in the Senate in accordance with the pertinent policy order in place,” Sotto said.
The Senate Minority Leader recalled that in 2018, the Senate has carried out a mandatory drug testing in line with the Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Civil Service Commission Resolution No. 1700653 mandating random drug tests for public officials and employees, and Senate Policy Order 2018-002.
Based on the report, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero confirmed receiving the letter of Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto and expressed his gratitude to him for the initiative. According to him, his office will release a more-detailed response.
Following the incident, the staff member of Sen. Robinhood Padilla was asked to go on a leave “effective immediately”. Recently, it was confirmed that Nadia Montenegro has resigned from being a staff member of Sen. Robin Padilla.
Aside from his proposal for a mandatory drug test, Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto also recently refiled a bill seeking for a 14th-month pay for the employees of the private sector.