Kabayan rep. to DILG: Test incumbent SK, barangay execs for drug use

A lawmaker is urging the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to conduct random drug testing on incumbent barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials and personnel in a bid to weed out drug users in public office.

Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo made the proposal on Tuesday. He said DILG should begin with those barangay officials whose names appear in the Philippine National Police (PNP) drug watchlist.

Salo cited Section 36 (d) of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which authorizes random drug testing of current or incumbent officers and employees of public offices.

“The random drug testing must be done as soon as possible as it is only a month before the barangay elections. It should be immediately done in collaboration with DOH (Department of Health) which has the manpower resources,” Salo said in a statement.

“I also appeal that those found positive be subjected to disqualification proceedings observing due process provided by law,” he added.

The results of the random drug testing, Salo said, must be published before the elections so the electorate would be fully-informed.

Earlier, Liga ng mga Barangay president Edmund Abesamis suggested that drug testing be made a requirement for candidates vying for local elective posts.

1-CARE party-list Rep. Carlos Roman Uybarreta and 1-PACMAN party-list Rep. Michael Romero meanwhile opposed the proposal saying it could only be done by amending Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991.

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