Manila Lawmaker Questions Senator Padilla’s Drug Testing Proposal
Manila Representative Rolando Valeriano has expressed agreement with critics who view Senator Robinhood Padilla’s drug testing proposal for all elected and appointed officials as a mere distraction. Sources said Valeriano believes the initiative aims to deflect attention from allegations involving a staffer’s marijuana use inside the Senate building.
In an ambush interview, Valeriano responded to comments by House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, who accused Padilla’s office of diverting scrutiny instead of addressing internal issues. The lawmaker concurred, noting that this tactic is typical of Padilla and his allies.
“Magaling sila sa gano’n talaga eh, ’di ba? Sa totoo lang ’yon talaga ang issue ro’n, imagine mo naman ’yong staff mo nagma-marijuana sa mismong building ng Senate. So nakakahiya talaga ’yon,” Valeriano said.
Calls for Accountability and Leading by Example
Valeriano urged Padilla’s team to set an example by voluntarily undergoing drug testing, similar to what Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri’s office has done. Officials reported that Valeriano challenged Padilla to submit himself to testing before pointing fingers, emphasizing the responsibility tied to his leadership.
“Ang akin do’n tutal sa kanila naman nanggaling ‘yan, mauna na rin siya munang magpa-drug test ‘di ba? Bakit ka naman magtuturo kasi siyempre, ang suspect natin doon is staff niya talaga—kung totoo man ’yon—staff niya talaga ’yong nagda-drugs at that time, humi-hit ng marijuana. So it follows as head ng office, siya ’yon, mag-drug test din siya,” he added.
He further remarked on the importance of not rushing to blame others, citing several senators who have undergone voluntary drug tests without making accusations. “Pero parang magtuturo ka kaagad ng iba, parang hindi naman ano ’yon […] parang di tama dahil supposedly, may nakita akong ibang senador, naunang magpa-drug test, walang katakot-takot ‘di ba? At hindi naman sila nagtu-turo, na bakit hindi magpa-drug test ’yong pangulo,” Valeriano pointed out.
Details of the Drug-Free Government Act
On Monday, sources confirmed that Senator Padilla filed Senate Bill No. 1200, proposing mandatory 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.
In his Drug-Free Government Act proposal, Padilla emphasized the need for public officials to be accountable through random drug screenings. The measure aims to uphold public welfare by curbing drug use and abuse within government ranks and communities.
Testing under the bill would involve a two-step process: initial screening via hair follicle drug tests and confirmatory urine drug tests.
Criticism and Defense Surrounding the Proposal
Libanan criticized the bill, suggesting it attempts to pull the Office of the President into a political spectacle. “The presidency is not a stage for gimmicks or stunts,” he said.
However, Padilla’s chief of staff, lawyer Rudolf Philipp Jurado, defended the proposal as a serious preventive and accountability measure rather than a mere performance.
Controversy Involving Padilla’s Staffer
Recently, Padilla’s office faced controversy after actress Nadia Montenegro, a political affairs officer, was linked to an incident report dated August 13. The report detailed complaints about an unusual odor in the ladies’ restroom inside the Senate building.
Montenegro resigned from her post, citing concerns for her mental health and her children’s welfare. She denied allegations of smoking marijuana within the Senate premises.
Political Context and Tensions
Senator Padilla is an ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, who ran alongside President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections. Despite their electoral success, political relations have since become strained.
Vice President Duterte resigned from the Lakas-CMD party in May 2023. After the House withheld confidential fund allocations from her offices, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Mayor Sebastian Duterte accused President Marcos of drug use. In response, Marcos suggested that former President Duterte’s outbursts might be linked to his fentanyl use for shoulder pain.
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