"Under the rules of the House, illegal drug testing is not mandatory. But by voluntarily submitting ourselves to undertake illegal drug testing, we want to lead by example and show the people that the fight against illegal drugs remains one of our priorities," the Speaker said.
The Speaker expressed confidence more lawmakers will voluntarily take the drug test.
Rep. Vicente Belmonte, Jr. (Lone District, Iligan City), Chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said drug testing will be an ongoing effort until such time that all their colleagues have undertaken the test.
"We must lead by example because we are the representatives of the people. We must come clean, that is our message to our fellow lawmakers," Belmonte said.
Belmonte said the effort started in November last year and that all members of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, which consists of 45 members, have already submitted themselves to voluntary testing.
Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil (2nd District, Pangasinan), a former police general and a member of the dangerous drugs body, was elated after results of his drug test showed negative results.
"I am proud to say that as a member of the dangerous drugs committee, I passed the test and we want to be examples to everyone," Bataoil said.
"As members of the panel that has jurisdiction on matters pertaining to illegal or prohibited drugs, we face serious scrutiny from our chairman. It is not easy to become a member if you have a suspicious background," Bataoil said.
Rep. Marcelino Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City) likewise said it is important to undertake illegal drug testing to set a good example to the public.
"Even if there is no law that mandates illegal drug testing on elected officials, we as lawmakers should do it as a moral obligation to our constituents," Teodoro said.
Rep. Irvin Alcala (2nd District, Quezon) said taking the test will send a message to his constituents that their representative in Congress is not a user of any illegal substance.
"I want to be an example to my constituents, particularly to the youth," he said.
Source: Public Relations and Information Department
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