Trillanes tells Duterte to take drug test

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte should take a drug test to dispel suspicions that he was not into using illegal substances after he had joked earlier that he was taking marijuana, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said yesterday.

Duterte on Monday claimed in a speech that he took marijuana to be able to handle his grueling schedule during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Singapore last month, but later said he was simply joking to enliven a boring event.

“Duterte is desperately trying to contain the damage of his admission about marijuana use by saying it is just a joke,” Trillanes said in a text message.

“Too late! Bistado na siya, na isa rin pala siyang durugista (Now he’s exposed, he is also a drug addict). Now, if he really wants to clear himself, I am again calling on him to take a drug test,” Trillanes said.

It was not the first time that the opposition senator challenged Duterte to take a drug test.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III called on critics to stop picking on Duterte’s jokes as they are starting to look ridiculous.

“They should stop minding the jokes of PRRD. He’s laughing because many are riding on it – being easily baited,” Sotto said, using Duterte’s initials.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson had said earlier that Duterte has often cracked jokes that generated controversies even during the electoral campaign in 2016.

“He was voted into office and we’re in a democracy. He did not make pretenses during the campaign, his coarse and inappropriate jokes, but he was voted into office, so we will have to live with whatever he is for the next four years or so,” Lacson said.

Responding to Trillanes’ challenge, Malacañang yesterday said there is no need for the President to undergo a drug test.

“Hindi kailangan. Eh, talaga namang (There’s no need. It’s really) – look at this person, this President. Malakas. Sinasabi niya naman sa atin kung ano ang diperensya niya, eh (Strong. He tells us if there’s anything wrong with him anyway),” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said at a Palace press briefing, again emphasizing Duterte’s fondness for hyperbole.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) yesterday manifested its “strong objection” to Duterte’s call to kill bishops, saying  “this is an anathema to our understanding of our Christian or Islamic faith.” 

In a statement, FFW president Sonny Matula noted that no one should wish anyone harm, especially death.

“It is also a call which is unacceptable in a civilized society,” he said.

“Whatever his resentment against our bishops, the same cannot justify nor will warrant the killing of anyone including any bishop… We are criticizing the President for his uncalled for statement in an official state function,” he added.

Matula said the “constitutional fiat of separation of church and state is not a wall of hostility” and “jurisprudence has long recognized that the state considers religious institutions as partners in instilling into the mind the purest principle of morality.”

He maintained the “doctrine of separation recognizes that (t)he free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed.”

“We call on him to do some reflection in this Christmas season.  We are praying for his enlightenment,” he said. – With Sheila Crisostomo