Chiz says Senate will conduct mandatory random drug testing

The Senate plans to conduct a mandatory random drug test for all officials and employees this 20th Congress, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Monday.

The move is in response to Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III's request that a mandatory random drug test be immediately conducted in the upper chamber in a bid to maintain a drug-free workplace.

The Senate President said that he "fully joins" Sotto in the initiative, adding that the Senate had entered into a partnership with the East Avenue Medical Center in March to facilitate the testing for all Senate officials and employees. 

“However, given that a lot of employees from the Senate Proper will not be available because of the 2025 national and local elections, it was suggested to just resume the MRDT in the 20th Congress,” Escudero’s letter to Sotto read. 

He said the new policy on the mandatory random drug test, in consultation with concerned offices, is now being finalized. He also added that they are awaiting the complete roster of Senate employees whose new appointments are still under process. 

“We have also tightened the intervention measures, drawing from actual experience and knowledge gained from past implementations, to ensure a more effective and transparent process moving forward,” the letter added. 

Sotto’s call for a mandatory random drug test came following reports of a staff member allegedly using marijuana in the upper chamber premises. Escudero, for his part, had ordered an investigation into the matter. 

Nadia Montenegro was named in the incident report by the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), but she has denied the allegation. 

Montenegro also tendered her resignation from the office of Senator Robin Padilla “effective immediately” for the sake of her mental health and the welfare of her children. 

Senators follow suit

Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, along with his 35 staff, underwent a voluntary drug testing on Monday. He encouraged his fellow senators and their staff to do the same to ensure a “drug-free Senate.”

Senator Raffy Tulfo said he and his staff will also undergo a drug test on Tuesday. 

“Sibak. No ifs, no buts, no exceptions. Kahit sino pa ‘yan, ‘pag nag-positive, tanggal. Lahat—mula sa akin, hanggang sa janitor,” the elder Tulfo said when asked what will happen if anyone from his office tests positive for illegal drugs. 

(That person will be sacked. No ifs, no buts, no exceptions. No matter who that person is, if they test positive, they will be removed from office. Everyone—from me to the janitor.) — BM, GMA Integrated News