Eleazar wants candidates to ‘voluntarily’ undergo drug testing

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police chief and senatorial aspirant Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday urged other candidates like himself to voluntarily undergo drug testing.

In an interview with ANC’s Headstart, Eleazar said that making drug testing mandatory would be up to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Kanya-kanyang ano ‘yan, kasi wala naman sa batas na pipilitin mo. Pero, maganda rin na magkusang-loob tayo. Pangit kasing sabihing mandatory kasi sinasabi nga pwedeng maging abuso ‘yan do’n sa mga susunod,” he said when asked if candidates should be tested for drugs mandatorily.

(It depends because there is no law to force them. But, it is good if we initiate. It does not sound good if mandatory because it can be abused next time.)

“Pero ako, I encourage everybody, all candidates na tayo ay mag-undergo voluntarily, magpa-undergo ng drug test. Ako payag ako do’n,” he added.

(But, I encourage everybody, all candidates, to undergo voluntarily. I agree with that.)

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has already said that substance abuse is not a ground for disqualifying an aspirant for public office.

Eleazar’s remarks came after President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that a presidential aspirant for the 2022 elections is using cocaine, an addictive illegal stimulant.

Duterte, however, did not name the aspirant but gave hints on who he is, saying he is a “weak leader” from a rich clan with a well-known patriarch.