Sotto volunteers for drug test at PDEA

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III yesterday went unannounced to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) office in Quezon City had himself tested for illegal drugs.

“He said he was volunteering for the drug test to set an example to his colleagues,” a source said.

Sotto was former Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) chairman and had offices on the third floor of the PDEA building. He resigned to run for a Senate seat last May 10.

Sources said Sotto appeared at the PDEA at around 9 a.m. yesterday for the tests. An insider quoted Sotto as reportedly saying that he was there to prove that he is not using any of prohibited drugs. He also allegedly urged other officials to undergo the same test.

Sotto offered the advice to remove any cloud of doubt on government officials with regards to illegal drug abuse.

A source said the senator’s move may have been prompted by Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson’s arrest in Hong Kong for alleged drug trafficking after he was found in possession of cocaine and the sedative diazepam, a regulated drug.

Sotto is pushing for the passage of bill requiring a mandatory drug testing of all officials in government.