Vice President Sara Duterte backed a bill that would require mandatory drug tests for government officials filed by her brother, Davao 1st District Representative, Paolo Duterte.
The Vice President said she is even willing to be the first public official to undergo a hair follicle drug test.
If enacted, House Bill No. 10744 would mandate all elected and appointed government officials, including the President, to undergo random hair follicle drug tests every six months.
Additionally, the bill proposes voluntary random drug testing for candidates running for electoral posts within 90 days before Election Day.
Officials who test positive may face suspension or termination from office under this proposed legislation.
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque took to Facebook to share copies of the bill, captioning it with a pointed challenge: “Time for Follicle Test PBBM!”
“In the first place, we have to make certain that all public officials are in the right state of mind,” Duterte said in Filipino during an interview in Davao City.
The Vice President affirmed her willingness to undergo a drug test through a “third party,” as requested by the public, to set an example.
This also responds to Roque’s supposed challenge to the Duterte siblings to “lead by example” and undergo drug testing.
“Yes… let’s set a date for it. I think a third party (drug tester) should be involved, and maybe there should be more than one laboratory involved,” she added.
Meanwhile, Roque, a staunch defender of the Dutertes, is himself no stranger to controversy as his alleged affiliations with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) are presently the subject of a congressional investigation.
At the House of Representatives, four committees jointly investigating illegal POGOs, drug trafficking and extra-judicial killings during the Duterte Administration have issued a show cause order against several individuals, including Roque’s executive assistant.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline VP Duterte supports random drug tests for gov’t officials, accepts challenge to be tested herself
