Isko Moreno, Willie Ong test negative for substance abuse

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant and Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno and his running-mate Willie Ong tested negative for use of cocaine, shabu, marijuana, and other prohibited drugs on Thursday.

Information from the Manila Public Information Office showed that both Moreno and Ong tested negative for substance abuse after undergoing a voluntary test at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The tandem went through voluntary testing after President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that a male presidential aspirant from a rich and well-known clan was using cocaine.

“This is one way of submitting ourselves to the proper agencies of government and kami naman, ito rin ay isang maliit naming kaparaanan ni Doc Willie na sinusuportahan ang war on drugs ng ating Pangulong Duterte being a candidate,” Moreno said in an interview with reporters.

(This is one way of submitting ourselves to proper agencies of government and this is also our way to support the war on drugs of President Duterte.)

“The people of our country deserve to know. They need to know. Isa sa mga sumisira sa ating lipunan ay ang droga (One of the things that destroy our society is drugs),” he added.

Moreno said presidential candidates should submit themselves to voluntary drug tests so that it won’t be unfair to ordinary Filipinos suspected of using drugs who are required to undergo the same test.

Aside from Moreno and Ong, other aspirants like Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is gunning for the presidency, and his running-mate Senator Vicente Sotto III also got tested for illegal drugs. Both tested negative in their respective voluntary tests.

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who is seeking the presidency likewise said he took a cocaine test and tested negative.

Senator Manny Pacquiao, meanwhile, released his negative drug test results which were taken in July and September this year.

/MUF