Rama: 2 drug-positive workers not under me

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama has clarified that the two workers under the Sangguniang Panlungsod who were found positive for illegal drug use are not from his office.

He said that the two belong to the Department of Social Welfare and Services, which is under the executive department, and they were only assigned in the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Rama said he will “return them to the mother unit.”

He also said the head of the executive department, Mayor Edgardo Labella, will be the one to “take specific action.”

“Because ang appointment ato is signed by the mayor. That matter belongs to the mayor,” said Rama.

Rama also wanted City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention to provide him the list of all employees under the Sangguniang Panlungsod and Office of the Vice Mayor who underwent the surprise drug screenings.

“For purposes of checking kung naa bay positive,” he said.

The vice mayor said a confirmatory test is also necessary to ensure that the results of the COSAP drug screenings were accurate.

The confirmatory test takes 30 days.

Labella earlier said that he will fire the drug-positive City Hall workers.

The job order workers will be automatically fired while the casuals will not be renewed. The regular employees will undergo due process.

Labella said it is a requirement under the civil service for employees to be alert and stable physically and mentally.

It was Labella who authored an ordinance in 2000 requiring a drug test for those applying for the city government.

To date, at least 52 City Hall workers have tested positive for illegal drug use. (FREEMAN)