Solon pushes drug tests for congressmen
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:24:00 01/14/2009
Filed Under: Illegal drugs, Congress, Government
MANILA, Philippines -- Following President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's order to conduct random drug tests on students, a lawmaker on Wednesday suggested that members of the House of Representatives undergo mandatory tests "to set an example" among public officials.
Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga drug tests for House members would "show to the public that we are not drug users and also to set an example among public officials."
"How can we have an effective House investigation on the drug cases, and how can we legislate on the laws intended to address the drug menace, if the public has the perception that some congressmen are drug users?" Barzaga said.
Asked if there are reports that some congressmen are drug users, he said, "The public might have the perception that we are drug users. In short, in the war against drugs, no one should be spared."
Members of the committee on dangerous drugs, including Barzaga, met on Wednesday to discuss the reports of the National Bureau of Investigation, Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSSOTF), and the Department of Justice on the drug cases they are handling and the rate of conviction of these cases.
But Cebu Representative Antonio Cuenco, the committee’s vice chairman, said the reports should be consolidated first so that government will have just one figure for all drug cases.
He also pointed out, in an interview after the meeting, that random drug tests for both congressmen and students would be possible without a court order.
"That's voluntary. You cannot compel anyone to undergo drug test without a court order,” Cuenco said. “Maybe if someone has a complaint complains against a particular congressman for being under the influence of drugs, he should go to court to get a court order to compel the congressman to undergo a drug test."
Last week, the committee conducted an inquiry into allegations by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that some justice officials were bribed to drop drug charges against Joseph Tecson, Richard Brodett, and Jorge Joseph, all scions of prominent families.
Department of Justice prosecutors recommended the dismissal of the charges, citing alleged irregularities in carrying out the arrests.
Ilocos Norte Representative Roque Ablan also said he does not think conducting drug tests on his colleagues should be done out of courtesy.
He added in jest: "You can always see who among us is high, just watch the sessions. There are those who shout when the subject matter is good, and slam down their papers.”
Earlier this week, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo named herself the country's anti-narcotics czar and also instructed the Department of Education to conduct random drug test in all high schools, vocational schools, colleges and universities.
Muntinlupa Representative Rufino Biazon said the policy should be reviewed.
"Drug testing would only really catch the user not the pusher. It might be giving us [a] false [sense of] security that we are doing something, but actually we are only catching the users not the pusher," he said at the committee meeting.
Paranaque Representative Roilo Golez also raised questions over the drug tests.
"Who will decide on which students should be tested? ...how do we ensure this is an unbiased sampling? Who will shoulder the cost? What's going to happen to the students found positive?" Golez asked.
He also said compulsory drug tests could be in violation of a person's right against self-incrimination.
But Barzaga said the tests could be justified under the "police power of the state for promotion of general welfare."
He said the right against self-incrimination is not applicable because the test would be "purely mechanical."
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