Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting on Thursday denied claims that the Office of the Court Administrator ordered mandatory drug tests for judges and employees of the judiciary.
In a statement, Ting said a circular was issued requiring “all judges and court personnel of the first and second level courts to undergo a basic annual physical examination on or before Oct. 15.”
But it did not require a mandatory drug test. The annual health examination of court employees is part of the first-ever comprehensive healthcare plan for the entire judiciary in partnership with Kaiser International Health Group Inc. and Manila Bankers and General Assurance Corp.
READ: SC clarifies: No mandatory drug test for judges, judiciary employees
The health-care plan covers all incumbent justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, and Sandiganbayan; judges from the first- and second-level courts; and all officials and employees across all court levels. —JANE BAUTISTA