Most presidential candidates support drug testing

Raffy Tulfo’s proposal to subject all candidates to drug tests gains ground. SCREENGRAB FROM TULFO’S INSTAGRAM

MANILA, Philippines — Almost every presidential candidate believes aspirants for government posts should undergo drug testing.

Raffy Tulfo, senatorial aspirant and veteran radio host, said he intends to propose to the Commission on Elections the drug testing of candidates using hair follicles instead of urine, the drug testing method he favors in his radio program.

Tulfo said such a method could detect drug use for 90 days, compared to urine’s validity, which is limited to a few days.

Vice President Leni Robredo is the latest presidential aspirant to declare her willingness to submit to a drug test.

“Ready ako anytime, hindi sa akin problema ‘yun,” Robredo said during a press conference in Sorsogon on Friday.

(I am ready anytime, that’s not a problem for me.)

“Kung ire-require ‘yun, OK. Lalo na maraming kwento na si ito ay lulong sa ganito. Mas mabuti na clean slate kami,” she added.

(If that would be required, fine. Especially that there are so many rumors that “this politician is addicted to something.” We should come clean.)

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is also in favor of requiring drug tests for candidates, according to his spokesperson.

“Of course, unifying presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos supports and endorses any proposal for the drug testing of all candidates in the coming 2022 elections, and in all poll exercises that follow,” Marcos Jr’s spokesperson Vic Rodriguez told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

In a separate message to reporters, Senators Manny Pacquiao, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson echoed their support for requiring drug tests.

Pacquiao even dared his fellow candidates to undergo drug tests before the campaign period.

“Agree ako dapat pakita natin na malinis tayo. At bago start ng campaign ay sabay-sabay na pa-drug test kami lahat,” Pacquiao said.

(I agree, we should show that we are clean. And before the start of the campaign, we should all undergo drug tests.)

Dela Rosa said it is only reasonable to have presidents undergo drug tests when a common employee must do it.

He said: “Dapat lang! Yung security guard nga na nagbabantay lang ng isang establisimento ay required na magpa-drug test iyon pang presidente na magbabantay at mangungulo ng buong bansa exempted sa drug test? Unfair noh?”

(As it should be. A security guard who just manned an establishment must have a drug test, let alone a president who is in charge of the country. Unfair, right?)

Lacson also said he has no problem with the proposal since he has never been a drug user.

“I have never been addicted to drugs all my life, so I have no problem with that. In fact, we should all undergo random testing to make it more credible. I understand drug toxins may dissipate after 72 hours,” Lacson said.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno also agreed with the proposed drug test, saying it is dangerous to have a drug addict as a president.

“Dapat lang, eh baka mamaya may adik na kandidato, can you imagine kapag may adik na presidente,” Moreno told reporters during a visit in Pampaga on Thursday.

(As it should be, lest there be a drug addict candidate. Can you imagine a president who is a drug addict?)

“I mean, let’s be honest to ourselves, how can we go and campaign against drugs eh even the president eh nagda-drugs (is doing drugs). We have to, why not?”

Presidential aspirant and socialist labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman, meanwhile, called the proposal a distraction.

“Tanong ko lang kay Mayor Isko, kung meron ba siyang nakikita sa mga nag-file ng pagka-presidente, na mayroon doon na adik? O iyan ay paglilihis doon lang sa mga tunay na usapin,” De Guzman said in response of Moreno’s statement.

(My question to Mayor Isko, is there anyone who filed a certificate of candidacy for president that is a drug addict? Or is this another way to distract us from the real issues?)

However, De Guzman said he is willing to undergo a drug test if it becomes mandated.

abc