Senate Minority Leader Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III on Sunday called on Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero to implement mandatory random drug testing in the upper chamber following reports of alleged marijuana use on its premises.
“This will ensure that the morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness and courtesy shall be observed in the civil service,” Sotto said in his official letter dated August 17.
Escudero acknowledged Sotto’s initiative and said he would be presenting antecedent facts and the latest actions taken regarding the matter on Monday.
“I thank him for his initiative and concern,” the Senate chief said.
Sotto’s appeal did not name any senators or staffers but was prompted by news reports about the alleged incident.
He cited the Senate’s history of conducting mandatory random drug testing in 2018 under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Civil Service Commission regulations.
The senator stressed that such measures are crucial to uphold the chamber’s standards and prevent misconduct.
Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said he would require his entire staff, including himself, to undergo drug testing to reinforce the chamber’s conduct standards.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian described the incident as embarrassing and suggested terminating any employee proven to have used illegal drugs on Senate grounds.
