Pacquiao wants mandatory drug test for gov't officials

There must be a mandatory drug test for those who want to secure a post in government, whether elective or appointed, presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao said Friday.

Pacquiao was reacting to the claim of President Rodrigo Duterte about a presidential candidate for the May 2022 national elections who supposedly uses cocaine.

"Mandatory drug test must be required for anyone who wants to work in government, elective or appointed," the senator said in a statement.

"This will be a requirement in my administration without prejudice sa mga na-rehabilitate at talagang iniwanan na ang bisyo. Lahat naman po ay may karapatan na magbagong-buhay," Pacquiao said.

He also said he is willing to undergo a drug test and that he is hoping that his fellow candidates will also subject themselves to it.

"Although I'm not in a position to judge anyone on this issue, I am willing to undergo drug test anytime and anywhere. Sana ganyan din ang ating mga kapwa kandidato. Mas maganda kung hair follicle test para mas sigurado," he added.

Duterte has said one of the presidential aspirants in next year's elections is a cocaine user who has yet to accomplish anything.

Attorney Melvin Matibag, secretary general of the PDP-Laban Alfonso Cusi faction, said Duterte only wants voters to carefully discern their choice of the country’s next leader following his remark.

"That person should be able to guarantee continuity of the administration’s programs, not just by mere lip service, but by concrete actions," Matibag said.

Meanwhile, Commission on Elections spokesman Director James Jimenez said substance abuse is not among the grounds for disqualification provided for by law.

"In any case, the Comelec did try to require candidates to submit a negative drug test several elections ago. The move was disapproved by the Supreme Court," Jimenez said.—LDF, GMA News