Osmeña, councilors negative for drug use

CEBU, Philippines — All elected officials in Cebu City, including Mayor Tomas Osmeña, tested negative for illegal drug use during a surprise drug test conducted by City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention yesterday.

COSAP head Garry Lao said Osmeña, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, and 16 members of the City Council turned themselves in for the drug test and were all found negative.

Some 55 employees at the Office of the Mayor also tested negative.

“I’m very happy nga all our city officials tested negative. They have shown that they are good examples sa atong mga employees since we are eyeing to declare City Hall as a drug-free workplace,” Lao told The FREEMAN.

In the morning, COSAP conducted drug test among employees under the Office of the Mayor and City Administrator’s Office, while the members of the City Council went through the test in the afternoon.

Under City Ordinance 1829, all employees of the City government are required to undergo a drug test as a pre-employment requirement, as well as a random annual drug testing.

Labella authored the ordinance passed in 2000. At that time, he was still a councilor.

Under Lao’s help, COSAP has recorded at least 27 city employees found positive for drug use. Of the 27, five were regular employees, whose employment status is now being reviewed by the Human Resource Development Office.

Lao said he has conducted drug test in at least 14 departments at City Hall.

“Kahibaw sila sa palisiya sa admin karon, casual and job orders kay ipa-terminate gyod. There’s no compromise when you talk about drugs,” he said.

Osmeña has been clear on his warning to all casual employees and job order workers at the City Hall: they will be terminated immediately once found positive for illegal drug use.

“Fire. Immediately. No consideration. They have to be careful that they will not be positive. They have to prove their innocence. My policy is very simple. Once you’re positive, you’re fired,” he said.

The mayor said all employees should not fool around with illegal drugs.

Osmeña said that while no one from his fold is suspected to be a drug addict, he, nonetheless, did not brush off the idea that it can happen.

City Administrator Nigel Paul Villarete said the city government will follow the law in terminating employees who test positive of drug use. (FREEMAN)