VIRAL OUTBURST: REMULLA ORDERS ISABELA TOWN VICE MAYOR TO UNDERGO DRUG TEST

DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Reina Mercedes, Isabela Vice Mayor Jeryll Harold Respicio should undergo a drug test for his attitude during a recent Sangguniang Bayan session.

“Ipapa-drug test ko muna. Para kasing wala sa sarili,” Remulla said in a media interview on Wednesday at Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City, Laguna where he led the turnover of 130 motorcycles to local chief executives for enhanced police patrol in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region.

Remulla said Respicio ‘s outburst wherein he engaged several barangay officials into a “shouting match” inside the Sangguniang Bayan office  was “inexcusable.”

The “word war” during the October 5 session became viral on social media.

The exchange of profanities and obscene languages erupted after Respicio openly confronted and questioned the barangay officials over the status of programs and projects funded by the town’s tobacco excise tax share from the previous year.

The vice mayor, who presided the meeting, insinuated corruption after failing to get a positive answer from the barangay captains about the projects supposedly intended for tobacco farmers.

Respicio called a barangay official a thief.

“Magnanakaw ka!,” the vice mayor repeatedly told the village official.

A village official shouted back calling the vice mayor “bastos” (rude).

People inside the session tried to pacify Respicio and the village official. The shouting match stopped when policemen and other officials brought the barangay leaders outside of the office.

Meanwhile, Respicio heeded to Remulla’s drug test challenge.

“No problem, Sec.( secretary) Jonvic Remulla. Let’s go, drug test right now,” he said.

NEGATIVE FOR DRUGS

Respicio also on Wednesday said he tested negative in a qualitative urine drug test.

“I passed with flying colors. All negative,” Respicio said.

Respicio said he took the test at a private hospital in Quezon City.

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