Senators renew call for drug tests for elected execs

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RICHARD A. REYES

Senators have revived calls for all elected officials to undergo drug tests following the reported allegation of presidential son and Davao City Mayor Paolo Duterte that a member of the Senate has been using cocaine.

Some senators, including Senate President Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III immediately denied on Thursday the allegation of Duterte, eldest son of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Well, all I can say is that (It’s) is not me,” Pimentel said in a text message to reporters.

“I have no idea,” Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto said in a separate text message.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the presidential son should immediately identify the cocaine user in the Senate otherwise all senators would be suspect.

“He just put all 24 senators on the spot with his very serious accusation. He should therefore name him or her immediately, otherwise all of us will be looked upon as a possible suspected cocaine user,” Lacson said in a separate text message.

But if the Vice Mayor would not name the cocaine user, then Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III suggested that they should all undergo drug tests “to dispel any suspicion on any member of the Senate.”

Sotto said he and Senator Gregorio Honasan II had already undergone the tests.

READ: Sotto, Honasan take drug test

Neophyte Senator Sherwin Gatchalian immediately expressed his readiness to submit himself to drug tests.

“As I sign of support and solidarity to the war against drugs, I can submit myself to drug tests,” Gatchalian said in another text message.

“To be consistent to this principle, all elected officials should subject themselves to drug tests,” he added.

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV also welcomed the proposal.

“Maganda nga na lahat kaming may kinalaman sa pagpapatupad ng batas ay mag-undergo ng drug test (It’s better if all of us involved in implementing the law would undergo a drug test),” Aquino said.

Asked if there was a need for all senators to submit themselves to such tests,” Recto said: “I don’t know. I would not mind.” RAM