PNP lauds political aspirants' initiative to take drug tests

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has lauded the initiative of some political aspirants to take drug tests ahead of the May 2022 elections.

“We will document the results, of course. It’s good that they are serving as good examples to the public,” PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos said in a statement on Wednesday.

The PNP, however, said this would not stop the law enforcement agency from initiating an investigation “in case there is valuable information that will link a candidate to the illegal drug trade or drug use.”

The PNP reiterated that drug test for all candidates vying for public office is not mandatory, “but the organization will support it when it is implemented.”

“The PNP is willing to assist through its competent Forensic Group with any request from both local and national candidates to undergo a drug test,” it added.

Presidential aspirants Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier submitted themselves to voluntary drug testing. Their drug tests both yielded negative results.

Former senator and presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. said Tuesday that he took a cocaine test and submitted the negative result to law enforcement agencies.

Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao has tested negative twice this year for cocaine and methamphetamine use after taking anti-dope tests from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), his camp disclosed on Tuesday.

The results of the drug tests taken by vice presidential aspirants Sara Duterte, Vicente Sotto III, and Willie Ong also came back negative. 

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier warned voters about a presidential aspirant who is using cocaine. He did not name the aspirant.

The Commission on Elections said last Friday that substance abuse is not a ground for an election candidate's disqualification.

The PNP, meanwhile, is looking into the President’s claim. — VBL, GMA News