Senator Padilla’s Drug Test Bill Faces Strong Opposition
House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan criticized Senator Robinhood Padilla’s bill mandating drug testing for all public officials, calling it a mere attempt to divert attention from a recent controversy involving one of Padilla’s staffers. Libanan emphasized that the drug testing for all public officials proposal seems timed to shift focus away from the alleged marijuana use inside the Senate premises.
Libanan urged lawmakers to preserve the dignity of the Office of the President, warning that the highest office in the land should not be dragged into political stunts or distractions. “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,” he said.
Details of the Proposed Drug Testing Bill
Senator Padilla introduced Senate Bill No. 1200, the Drug-Free Government Act, which requires annual drug testing for all elected and appointed officials, including the President. The bill also mandates voluntary random drug testing for electoral candidates within 90 days before Election Day.
The measure proposes two testing methods: an initial screening through hair follicle drug tests and confirmatory urine drug tests. Padilla stressed that public officials must be held accountable to uphold public welfare and combat drug abuse within communities.
Controversy Surrounding Padilla’s Staffer
The bill comes amid controversy involving actress Nadia Montenegro, a political affairs officer in Padilla’s office. An incident report dated August 13 noted unusual odors resembling marijuana in the ladies’ restroom near the Senate extension offices. Montenegro has since resigned, citing concerns for her mental health and family welfare, but she denied allegations of smoking marijuana inside the Senate building.
Libanan’s Stand: Defending Institutional Dignity
Libanan clarified that his opposition to the bill is not about protecting any individual but about safeguarding the presidency 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 stated.
He added that democratic institutions, especially Congress, must protect the presidency’s dignity regardless of the officeholder. “Undermining that dignity weakens public trust and destabilizes the system we are sworn to protect,” Libanan added.
Call to Focus on National Priorities
Libanan urged lawmakers to concentrate on pressing national issues rather than trivial matters that could embarrass the country internationally. “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,” he remarked.
Political Context and Recent Tensions
Senator Padilla is an ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, who ran alongside President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections under the Uniteam coalition. Despite their electoral success, tensions have surfaced within their political circle. Vice President Duterte resigned from Lakas-CMD in May 2023, and disagreements escalated when the House denied confidential fund allocations to her offices.
Subsequently, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte publicly criticized President Marcos, even accusing him of drug use. President Marcos responded by attributing the former president’s erratic remarks to fentanyl use, a powerful opioid Duterte admitted taking for shoulder pain.
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