Abalos urges barangay, SK election candidates to undergo drug test

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Thursday challenged the candidates in the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) to undergo drug test.

Abalos said the candidates should undergo drug test to show that they are ready to serve the country considering that illegal drugs is “one of the biggest problems.”

“Kung gusto ninyong tumakbo, manilbihan sa bayan, one of the biggest problems is drugs, siguro magpa-drug test kayo. Pakita ninyo na handa kayong maglingkod. I am calling on all candidates,” he said.

(If you want to serve the country, one of the biggest problems is drugs, perhaps you should undergo a drug test. Show us that you are ready to serve. I am calling on all candidates.)

In 2021, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said  substance abuse is not a ground for a candidate's disqualification citing a ruling of the Supreme Court.

The SC in 2008 declared unconstitutional a provision in the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 requiring mandatory drug testing for all candidates for public office and people facing criminal charges.

According to the high court, a citizen’s right to elect a public official “should not be defeated by unwarranted impositions of requirement not otherwise specified in the Constitution.”—AOL, GMA Integrated News