Isko suggests mandatory drug test for all candidates; Sotto, Lacson, Pacquiao, Bato agree

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Thursday said drug tests should be mandatory  for all  Eleksyon 2022 candidates, a requirement that was declared as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

In an interview with reporters in Pampanga, Moreno made the proposal to intensify the crackdown against narcotics.

"Dapat 'yan baka mamaya may adik na kandidato. Can you imagine kapag may adik na presidente. Let's be honest to ourselves How can we campaign against drugs eh even the President nag-da-drugs?" he said, when asked if he is in favor of imposing drug tests as a requirement for electoral candidates.

Moreno, who is running for president in 2022, had said he supported the campaign against illegal drugs but not at the expense of killing people. 

In reaction to Moreno's statement, vice presidential aspirant Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he was one of the authors of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which required mandatory drug testing for all candidates for public office and people facing criminal charges.

"It was in my law 9165. Shot down by SC as unconstitutional," he said in a statement.

Asked if he will voluntarily undergo a drug test, Sotto said, "Sure. Voluntary puwede (Yes voluntary.)"

Sotto's running mate Senator Panfilo Lacson suggested Friday conducting a random drug test to candidates as toxins may disappear after three days.

“I have never been addicted to drugs all my life, so I have no problem with that. In fact, we should all undergo random testing to make it more credible. I understand drug toxins may dissipate after 72 hours,” Lacson, a former national police chief, said in a Viber message.

Another presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao said he will undergo drug test before his campaign.

"Agree ako dapat pakita natin na malinis tayo.  At bago start ng campaign ay Sabay Sabay na padrug test kami lahat," he said in a statement to reporters.

(I agree, we should show them that we are cleared from drugs. Before my campaign, we will get checked for drugs.)

In Sandra Aguinaldo's "24 Oras" report, Vice President Leni Robredo's spokesman Attorney Barry Gutierrez said the vice president is prepared to take the drug test.

"Just set the time and place," he said.

Labor leader Leody de Guzman, who will also run for president, meanwhile said the issue on narcotics must be discussed.

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa also agreed to the proposal.

"Ha ha ha. Mas mabuti (much better)," he said.

In a separate text message to reporters, Dela Rosa said election candidates, just like security personnel who keeps establishments safe, should undergo drug tests.

“Dapat lang! ‘Yung security guard nga na nagbabantay lang ng isang establisyemento ay required na magpa-drug test, iyon pang presidente na magbabantay at mangungulo ng buong bansa exempted sa drug test? Unfair 'no?” he said.

(A security guard who mans an establishment is required to undergo a drug test, why should a president who would lead the whole country be exempted from drug test? It's unfair.)

In 2008, the high court declared as unconstitutional the provision in the  Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 mandating drug testing to all candidates for public office.

The SC said the provision violates the 1987 Constitution because it adds another qualification for senators as enumerated in Section 3, Article VI of the charter which states that “No person shall be a senator unless he is a natural born citizen of the Philippines, and on the day of the election, is at least 35-years of age, able to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of the election.”—LDF/AOL, GMA News