Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri declared on Saturday, August 16, that he and his entire Senate staff will undergo mandatory drug testing on Monday, a move he framed as both a matter of personal accountability and institutional integrity.
Zubiri said the initiative should set the tone for the entire Senate, stressing that the chamber cannot expect respect from the public if its own members do not lead by example.
“This coming week, I will subject my office to random drug testing. Talagang ipapa-test ko silang lahat. I will mandatorily ask my staff to take drug testing, including me. Pati senador, isama natin para wala nang duda,” Zubiri said in an interview with DWIZ.
His push comes after reports surfaced that a Senate staff member was flagged in an incident report by the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms for alleged marijuana use, sparking calls for a broader ethics review and drug testing across the institution.
Zubiri said his move echoes earlier proposals for random testing within the Senate, noting that the policy should not only apply to employees but also to lawmakers themselves.
“Kung ako (ang masusunod), gagawin ko po ang binanggit ng dating Senate President Sotto na magkaroon ng random drug testing,” he said.
Calling for his colleagues to follow suit, Zubiri underscored the importance of equal accountability, saying uniform compliance would strengthen public trust in the Senate.
“I encourage all the other offices, all the other senators, to do the same… Lawmakers should not be lawbreakers.”