Eleazar hails support of presidential, VP bets on drug testing of candidates

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Saturday hailed the declaration of presidential and vice presidential bets who said they support the drug testing of candidates.

“We, in the Philippine National Police, welcome the declaration of our presidential candidates to undergo drug test and see it as a commitment on the need to continuously address the illegal drug problem in the country,” Eleazar said in a statement.

Vice President Leni Robredo, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, and socialist labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman have already expressed their intention to have themselves get tested for illegal drugs.

The same expression of support was aired by Senators Manny Pacquiao and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and former Senator Bongbong Marcos.

Vice presidential aspirants Sen. Vicente Sotto, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Sen. Bong Go, Rep. Lito Atienza and Dr. Willie Ong also expressed similar sentiments.

It was senatorial aspirant and veteran radio host Raffy Tulfo who said that he intends to propose to the Commission on Elections the drug testing of candidates using hair follicles instead of urine, during his radio program.

Tulfo said such a method could detect drug use for 90 days, compared to urine’s validity, which is limited to a few days.

Meanwhile, Eleazar assured the candidates the PNP will support the strategy of whoever wins for the next administration.

“We will support whatever the strategies that would be implemented by our next leaders on the campaign against illegal drugs because despite the criticisms, this campaign resulted in significant reduction of crime in the country,” Eleazar said.

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JPV