Senator Robinhood Padilla has filed a measure requiring all elected and appointed government officials — including the President — to undergo mandatory annual drug testing.
“Kung ang taumbayan ay inaasahang malinis sa bawal na gamot, dapat magsimula ito sa mga lingkod-bayan mismo. Ang pamumuno ay dapat walang bahid at handang sumailalim sa pamantayan ng katapatan at pananagutan,” Padilla said in filing Senate Bill No. 1200.
The bill covers officials of government agencies, instrumentalities, and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), whether domestic or overseas.
Under the measure, any official testing positive for dangerous drugs shall face administrative sanctions—including suspension or termination from office—subject to existing laws.
It also provides that candidates for public office may voluntarily undergo a hair follicle drug test within 90 days before election day.
Testing shall be conducted through two stages:
- Hair follicle drug test to identify both drug use and type of substance, and
- Urine confirmatory test to validate any positive screening result.
The filing comes on the heels of reports linking Nadia Montenegro, one of Padilla’s political officers, to alleged marijuana use inside Senate premises.