Midas Marquez, PDEA personnel undergo drug testing

Justice Midas Marquez undergoes drug testing along with more than 500 employees of the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City Monday. MATIKAS SANTOS

MANILA, Philippines – Employees of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) were subjected to a surprise drug testing Monday after the long weekend break.

Around 513 personnel of the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City, led by Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr., submitted urines samples for drug testing.

Key officials of PDEA, administrative and technical personnel, as well as Drug Enforcement Officers all went through the process after the weekly flag-raising ceremony, Cacdac said in a statement Tuesday.

Midas Marquez, Court Administrator of the Supreme Court, also took part in the drug testing after being the guest of honor and speaker in the ceremony.

“This is the very essence of leadership by example as exemplified by Justice Marquez.  This is an expression of support to the national anti-drug campaign and he showed this to the public by submitting himself to drug testing,” Cacdac said in an earlier statement.

“This is just part of the standard procedure. We want to show that we have the moral ascendancy to lead as prime implementers of the anti-drug law and that we are drug-free,” Cacdac said.

All employees found positive for illegal drugs will undergo confirmatory testing. They could be displaced from office if they are found to have indeed used illegal drugs, Cacdac said.