A LEADER of the opposition in the House of Representatives on Tuesday urged his colleagues to uphold the dignity of the Office of the President as he rejected suggestions to compel President Marcos to undergo mandatory drug testing.
House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan issued the statement in light of a bill filed by Senator Robinhood Padilla seeking annual drug tests for government officials including the President.
“The timing speaks volumes. Instead of cleaning up his own backyard, somebody is trying to deflect attention by dragging the Office of the President into a spectacle. The presidency is not a stage for gimmicks or stunts,” Libanan said.
Meanwhile, Senator Raffy Tulfo and 54 members of his staff underwent drug tests on Tuesday, days after a Senate employee allegedly used marijuana in the Senate premises.
Tulfo offered to voluntarily step down if he was found positive for drugs, adding that all of his employees should undergo the drug tests “as long as they receive compensation from the government.”
Minority leader Senator Vicente Sotto III had earlier proposed an immediate mandatory random drug test for all officials and employees of the Senate following reports of marijuana use within the chamber.
Libanan stressed that his opposition to Padilla’s proposal was not about shielding any individual, but about safeguarding the institution itself.
“Whoever sits as President—past, present, or future—must be spared from the indignity of being forced to undergo a drug test. To subject the presidency to such procedures diminishes not just the occupant but the very office itself,” he declared.
Libanan reminded that the Constitution already sets clear qualifications for the presidency, ensuring that only those with proven competence, judgment, and moral fitness can hold the post.
“Our democratic institutions, particularly Congress, must preserve the dignity of the presidency regardless of who occupies it. Undermining that dignity weakens public trust and destabilizes the system we are sworn to protect,” he added.
Libanan, a lawyer, warned against trivializing the presidency, saying it could make the Philippines “a laughing stock before the international community.”
He further urged lawmakers to focus instead on pressing national concerns.
“Let us not waste time on distractions. We should be fixing the economy, lowering the cost of living, creating jobs, and protecting our communities from floods and disasters. These are the issues that truly demand leadership—not hollow theatrics,” Libanan concluded.
For his part, Quezon City Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay, welcomed initiatives that promote transparency and accountability in government, including random drug testing.
Suntay described the mandatory drug testing as a step toward ensuring that public officials remain worthy of the trust given to them by the people.
According to him, the House should be proactive, and will benefit in instituting the yearly drug tests.
“Leaders and lawmakers must set the example, and voluntary or even institutionalized drug testing within the chamber to strengthen public confidence in the integrity of its members,” Suntay stated.
He added that “protecting the institution’s credibility requires moving beyond compliance—it demands initiative. Proactiveness in matters of integrity should be the standard for all branches of government.”
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Libanan: Spare the Presidency from drug test theatrics”
