Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. criticized a proposed legislation, requiring election candidates to undergo drug testing, calling it “useless” and arguing that it offers little value in the fight against illegal drugs.
The amendment, put forward by Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte under House Bill No. 10744, seeks to mandate drug tests for candidates 90 days before the election.
Defensor voiced concerns that the proposal is ineffective because candidates who use drugs could easily prepare for the test to avoid detection. “That’s useless—you can prepare for it, right? If I’m a drug user, I’d know how to handle it,” he said.
He advocated instead for random and unannounced drug testing as a more reliable approach, stating that it would yield more accurate results.
Defensor also pointed out the financial burden such a requirement would impose on the provincial government, which already funds drug tests for its employees. “It’s expensive for us. We have to spend a lot of money,” he explained to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Press Corps.
While the governor supports the intent behind Duterte’s proposed amendments, he emphasized the need for clarity to prevent confusion. He assured the public that the Iloilo Provincial Capitol is a “drug-free” zone with no significant issues of illegal drug use among its employees.
In addition to the pre-election drug test, Duterte’s proposed amendments include mandatory drug tests for all government officials every six months.
The proposal suggests using a hair follicle drug test as an initial screening, followed by a urine test as a confirmatory measure for driver’s license applicants and government officials, whether elected or appointed.
This received support from several Ilonggo lawmakers. Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin expressed no objections, stating she has no issues with the proposal. Meanwhile, 2nd District Rep. Michael Gorriceta hopes Duterte’s initiative is sincere and sustainable, rather than driven by political motives.
Iloilo 4th District Rep. Ferjenel Biron, a medical professional, indicated that while he doesn’t see any problems with the proposal, he would study it further.
However, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel criticized the initiative, arguing that public officials who use illegal drugs set a poor example for the youth. He also questioned Duterte’s credibility in proposing such measures, citing alleged links to illegal drug trades within Duterte’s administration.
Manuel further expressed concern that the proposal could lead to excessive testing. “What do they want? To drug test everyone and then target those who test positive?” he asked.
The legislative process is still in its early stages, and the bill will need to pass through various committees and hearings before it can become law.
