Migz Zubiri files resolution on mandatory drug testing for gov't execs, employees

Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri and 13 of his Senate staff underwent drug test on Wednesday as he filed a resolution urging the strict implementation of mandatory drug test for government officials and employees.

Zubiri said government officials, both elected and appointed, should set the example.

"Pinapadrug test natin yung mga kawani ng PNP at AFP, dapat tayo yung mga senador at iba't ibang high-level government officials ay dapat mauna sa pagbigay ng drug test para maging ehemplo sa iba't ibang government agencies," he said in an interview with reporters.

Zubiri explained his action to undergo the tests. "If we require applicants for low positions to submit a negative-for- drugs certificate , we should require no less of people occupying higher positions. If submitting a negative result is the only positive thing you do today, that will be great," he said. 

The drug test on Zubiri and his staff showed negative results. The tests were for the presence of marijuana and shabu. 

Zubiri said other senators have also expressed readiness to undergo drug test. 

Filing Senate Resolution 8 Wednesday morning, Zubiri said the strict implementation of the law on mandatory random testing must be enforced to promote transparency, integrity and competence in the workplace.

"To all government employees and officials, I extend this challenge. Apparently, R. A. 9165 which ordered government offices to implement mandatory random testing for drug use is inherently weak," he said.

"I filed Senate Resolution 8 to direct the campaign towards actually executing mandatory drug-testing in government," he said, adding that the government should pour resources into establishing government drug-testing centers.

"Let's fund hospitals so they can speed up the testing. Apparently, there is a backlog of offices waiting to be tested. I know several government offices have lined up with our Department of Health for drug tests," he said.

The senator said he will support budget requests for government hospitals to beef up equipment and supplies and hire more personnel to carry out the tests.

"Generally, government hospitals are known to practice the best testing protocol and have the best facilities. It's an open secret that several privately-run drug-testing centers are purposely in only for the money and their results are questionable. Or, their people are prone to accept bribes to give fake results," he said.

"They also resort to certain practices because the presence of illegal drugs can be masked by other drugs ingested for that nefarious purpose," he added.

He added that he will help the DOH upgrade facilities and increase testing personnel so they can urge the LTO to patronize the government testing facilities.

"By that, we get credible results and the DOH gets a reliable source of revenues in the fees charged," he said.

Zubiri said this is in line with the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against illegal drugs. 

"Tulong na rin ito sa programa ni President Digong na malaman kung sino ba ang nga drug users and abusers sa gobyerno," he said.  — VVP, GMA News