Sen. Robin Padilla Files Senate Bill 1200 Seeking Mandatory Drug Testing
ROBIN PADILLA – The actor-turned-Senator filed a bill seeking for mandatory drug testing among all government officials including the president.
Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto recently urged Senate President Chiz Escudero for a mandatory drug testing among all the Senate officials and employees. His call came amid the chamber being surrounded by issues that someone might have allegedly smoked ‘Maryjane’ inside the Senate premises.
The accusations pointed to actress Nadia Montenegro, a staff member of the office of Sen. Robin Padilla. Based on the reports of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), there were two (2) recent instances when a foul and suspicious odor was noticed. The first incident was in July but no one was in the area when the odor emerged.
However, this August, when an OSAA staff member noticed the said foul and suspicious odor again, Nadia Montenegro was the only one who was in the area. The odor was noticed in the Senate restroom in the 5th floor of the building. Nadia Montenegro denied smoking ‘Maryjane’ inside the Senate restroom.
According to the actress, it could be the odor from the vape that she’s using that the OSAA member smelled. Despite her defense, the staff member of the office of Sen. Robin Padilla was told to immediately take a leave.
Recently, while Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto called for a mandatory drug testing among the Senate officials and employees only, Sen. Robin Padilla filed a Senate bill seeking for a mandatory drug testing among all the Philippine government officials, in the country and abroad, including the president.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Sen. Robin Padilla filed the Senate Bill 1200 or the “Drug Free Government Act”. It aims 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.
Under Padilla’s proposed measure, the annual mandatory drug testing will cover all elected and appointed officials of the government as well as government instrumentalities or government owned and controlled corporations. Based on the report, once an official yields a positive result, it may be a ground for suspension or termination from office.
Malacañang has yet to comment on the move of the Senator. In the Senate, amid the issues, Nadia Montenegro resigned from being a staff member of the office of Sen. Robin Padilla.