Zubiri, staff undergo drug test

Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and his 35 staff on Monday underwent a voluntary drug testing following reports of alleged use of marijuana by a Senate employee inside the premises of the upper chamber. 

In an ambush interview, Zubiri said he decided to be subjected to a drug test because he wants to ensure a “drug-free Senate”

“Sabi ko nga, lead by example. Madaming nagsasabi na may nagdo-droga dito sa Senado kaya sabi ko ako at ang staff ko ang unang magpa-test para sa pinagbabawal na gamot, para sa ganon ay ma-enganyo rin ang ating mga kasamahan,” he said. 

(I want to lead by example. There are many people who say that there’ someone who’s using drugs here in the Senate, so I said that me and my staff should be the first to be tested for illegal drugs, so that our colleagues can follow suit.) 

Zubiri said that the drug test was in coordination with the Senate medical bureau which is an accredited laboratory for drug tests. He said he and his staff submitted urine samples to test for marijuana, shabu, ecstasy, opium, and cocaine.

He also encouraged fellow senators and their staff to do the same.

“I see no problem. ‘Pag wala naman kayong tinatago, bakit kayo matakot magpa-drug test? Ine-encourage ko ang mga senador at kanilang mga opisina na magpa-drug test na para sa ganon ay talagang mawala na ang duda na may nagdu-droga sa ating Senado,” he added. 

(I see no problem. If you have nothing to hide, why would you be afraid to take a drug test? I encourage the senators and their offices to take a drug test so that there would be no more doubts that there are drug users in the Senate.) 

To recall, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero had ordered an investigation into the marijuana use allegedly by a staff of Senator Robin Padilla. 

Padilla’s office has also launched its own probe into the matter, as disclosed by his chief of staff, Atty. Rudolf Philip Jurado. 

The Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) has submitted a report on the incident and a copy of which was given to Padilla’s office. Jurado confirmed that they received the report on Thursday, August 14, and said that the subject employee was ordered to submit a written explanation within five days. 

Actress Nadia Montenegro was named in the incident report by the OSAA, but she reportedly denied smoking inside the ladies' room and using marijuana. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News