MANDATORY DRUG TEST VIOLATES CONSTITUTION, PALACE TELS PADILLA

MALACAÑANG on Wednesday reminded Senator Robinhood Padilla, who is pushing for mandatory drug testing of all government personnel including the President, that the Supreme Court prohibits universal drug testing.

“Ang allowed lamang po ay ang random drug testing. So, baka magsayang lang po ng oras at pera o pondo si Senator Robin Padilla. Aralin po muna niya po ang nais niyang gawing batas,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

Castro cited the Supreme Court’s November 3, 2008 ruling on the case filed by the Social Justice Society against the Dangerous Drugs Board and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, which declared that universal drug testing violates the Constitution and an individual’s right to privacy.

During the briefing, Castro was asked whether Malacañang supports Senator Padilla’s proposed measure mandating drug testing for all government personnel, including the President.

“Hindi ko sinasabing hindi pabor. Iyan ay labag sa batas,” Castro stressed.

On Monday, Padilla filed Senate Bill 1200 seeking an annual drug test for all government officials and mandating a hair follicle test for screening and a urine drug test for confirming alleged drug use.

Padilla filed the bill on the same day his political affairs officer, Nadia Montenegro, resigned after being accused of using marijuana within the Senate building. Montenegro has denied the accusation.