FILE PHOTO: Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso INQUIRER/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said Thursday that sees no problem with proposals for candidates in the 2022 national elections to under drug test.
This while he warned that it would be dangerous if a drug addict becomes the top leader of the nation.
Moreno, who is vying to become president of the country, pointed out that it would be hard for elected officials to campaign against illegal drugs if they themselves are drug users.
“Dapat lang, eh baka mamaya may adik na kandidato, can you imagine kapag may adik na presidente? I mean let’s be honest to ourselves, how can we go and campaign against drugs eh even the president eh nagda-drugs,” Moreno told reporters in Pampanga, where he visited three factories.
(That’s just right, because what if there’s a candidate who is a drug addict, can you imagine if the president is a drug addict? I mean let’s be honest to ourselves, how can we go and campaign against drugs when even the president is into it.)
“We have to, why not? Ako okay ako, call ako (For me it’s okay, I’m okay with that),” he added.
READ: Isko Moreno visits three Pampanga factories to listen to ordinary people
The proposal for candidates to undergo drug tests came from media personality and senatorial candidate Raffy Tulfo, who asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to implement such a measure by taking from aspirants hair follicle samples, which is reportedly the most accurate way of finding out drug use.
As for holding face-to-face presidential debates, Moreno said that it would be good for candidates to see each other in person so that people can witness the genuine reactions of their bets.
Earlier, Comelec said presidential debates will be held face-to-face but audiences would be online.
According to Moreno, there would be COVID-19 testing so the fear of infection would not be that big of a concern.
“Okay lang, okay lang ‘yan, actually pabor sa tao ‘yon dahil malalaman ng tao ‘yong kung ano’ng intensyon at pananaw ng mga kandidatong katulad ko at katulad ng mga kasamahan ko. We’re okay with that,” he said.
(That’s okay with me, actually, that would be in favor of the people because they would know the true intentions and the opinions of candidates like me and others. We’re okay with that.)
“Ano naman eh, may tusok-tusok naman eh, may testing naman. There is science already to keep everyone safe, ang ano lang, syempre ‘yong minimum health protocol. Pero kaya na nilang gawin, ng Comelec ‘yon. We will abide with the rules, I guarantee you that,” he added.
(I think there would be testings, swab tests. So there is science already to keep everyone safe, but still, we should observe the minimum health protocols. But I believe the Comelec can do that. We will abide by the rules, I guarantee you that.)