Paolo Duterte wants hair follicle drug test for all gov’t officials
Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte wants all elected officials, including the President, to be required to undergo hair follicle drug tests to ensure they are not narcotics users.
The son of former President Rodrigo Duterte and brother of Vice President Sara Duterte filed earlier this week House Bill No 1744 which seeks to amend provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
This was after Sara said in a statement that “leaders should not be motivated by cash, cocaine or champagne” and shortly after some government personalities, including President Marcos, were tagged as drug users in social media posts.
In January, her father called Mr. Marcos a drug addict, a remark that caused a rift between her and first lady Liza Araneta Marcos who said she was offended when Sara did not defend her husband.
In his bill, Paolo noted that since public office was a public trust, government officials shall also be subject to “accountability measures such as mandatory random drug testing” in line with their mandate of promoting “the general welfare of the people, especially in terms of mitigating, if not totally eliminating, drug use and abuse in the community.”
Under HB 10744, testing for drugs would be done through two methods with the hair follicle drug test to be used for screening. The urine drug test, on the other hand, will be used to confirm results.
Covered by the mandatory random drug test to be conducted every six months through the hair follicle drug test would be elected and appointed officials of the government, government instrumentalities, or government-owned and controlled corporations, whether domestic or overseas, including the President of the Republic of the Philippines.
Those who test positive, according to the bill, would be suspended or terminated from office. INQ
