Zubiri urges gov’t officials, employees to take drug tests

MANILA, Philippines – After voluntarily undergoing a drug test, Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri also urged his fellow government officials and employees to do the same.

Zubiri said government officials should “walk the talk,” adding he was shocked that government officials and employees have tested positive for drug use in the past. 

The senator cited a report made last year that said 197 people in government -- 63 of them in elective posts -- are facing charges due to drug usage. He said he is expecting these numbers to rise under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has launched a campaign against illegal drugs.

"As government officials, we should set the example, both elected and appointed," Zubiri said in a statement to the media.

On Wednesday, Zubiri subjected himself to a test for drug use with a private laboratory under contract with the Senate. He said if applicants for lower positions are required to take the drug tests, high-ranking officials should also be required to pass the drug tests.

“We should require no less of people occupying higher positions. If submitting a negative result is the only positive thing you do today, that will be great,” the senator said.

He also filed Senate Resolution No. 8 or the “Resolution expressing the sense of the Senate of the Philippines to mandate government offices to strictly observe and implement the law on mandatory random drug testing in support of the drug-free workplace program of the government” to add more teeth to the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

"To all government employees and officials, I extend this challenge. Apparently, R. A. 9165, which ordered government offices to implement mandatory random testing for drug use is inherently weak. So, I filed Senate Resolution No. 8 to direct the campaign towards actually executing mandatory drug-testing in government," Zubiri added.

A resolution is non-binding and is usually passed to express the sense of the Senate on an issue.

The senator said he will support budget requests for government hospitals to boost the equipment and supplies as well as help hire more personnel to conducts tests. He cited that there is a need since there are already “fly-by-night” drug testing centers for job seekers.

"Generally, government hospitals are known to practice the best testing protocol and have the best facilities. It's an open secret that several privately-run drug-testing centers are purposely in it only for the money and their results are questionable. Or, their people are prone to accept bribes to give fake results. They also resort to certain practices because the presence of illegal drugs can be masked by other drugs ingested for that nefarious purpose,” Zubiri said.

He did not give details.

"We will help the DOH (Deparment of Health) to upgrade their facilities and increase testing personnel so we can urge the [Land Transportation Office] to patronize our government testing facilities. By that, we get credible results and the DOH gets a reliable source of revenues in the fees charged,” he added.

The LTO no longer requires drug tests when drivers renew their licenses.