Pacquiao bares negative drug test results taken before Ugas fight

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

In a statement, Pacquiao, who is also a presidential aspirant, bared his drug test results dated July 28, 2021 and September 8, 2021. These were conducted prior to his fight in Las Vegas against Youdenis Ugas.

"The test covers a wide range of performance enhancing drugs that include anabolic agents like  steroids  and all stimulants  like cocaine and methamphetamine," Pacquiao said in a press statement.

Pacquiao said the VADA test also covered hundreds of prohibited substances, which is more extensive than the "ordinary drug tests in the Philippines."

The Filipino boxing legend said athletes were required to take anti-doping tests before competing in any international competition.

Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson and his running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III went through voluntary drug testing at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Both tested negative for drug use.

Another presidential bet Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. also took a cocaine test, which yielded negative results.

These recent developments stemmed from the  claims of President Rodrigo Duterte that a presidential aspirant in Eleksyon 2022 is a cocaine user. He failed to identify the aspirant.

On Monday, Duterte reiterated his claims, adding that the presidentiable eluded police arrest because he did drugs while other on a plane or a yacht. -NB, GMA News