Drug testing bill draws criticisms

A MEASURE seeking to mandate random drug testing for all public officials has been filed in the House of Representatives, but some lawmakers criticized it «for pushing a specific agenda.»

Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte on Monday filed House Bill (HB) 10744, saying that random drug testing should be undertaken every six months using hair follicles and urine samples for a more accurate result.

Also, the bill aims to encourage the institutionalization of voluntary random drug testing of candidates for electoral posts within 90 days before Election Day, which would require a review of certain provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act or Republic Act 9165.

Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte

Duterte said that it was imperative that public officials and government employees be the first to uphold such a constitutional mandate by submitting themselves to accountability measures that serve as tools for the fulfillment of the mandate.

«Considering the initiatives toward the deterrence of drug use and abuse, exemptions or favors in the mandatory nature of random drug testing shall not extend to certain class privilege such as the elected and appointed officials, since it becomes imperative upon their own mandate that they shall lead the life of modesty and integrity,» Duterte said

Once enacted, the bill will make it obligatory for public officials to hold accountability measures such as mandatory random drug testing in line with the officials' mandate of promoting the general welfare of the people, especially in mitigating, not totally eliminating, drug use and abuse in the community.

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But HB 10744 raised some questions among lawmakers, who urged Duterte to defend the measure in person and not entrust it with another lawmaker.

During a press briefing of the «Young Guns» bloc on Tuesday, Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Rep. Margarita Ignacia Nograles said that while Duterte has the right to file his bill, he should defend it at the committee level and plenary sessions.

«If you are the author of a bill, you really have to show up, defend it and explain why you want it to pass — first to the committee members and then in plenary for the majority of the