Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte said on Thursday she favors a bill seeking random drug testing for public officials.
The measure, House Bill 10744, was filed by her brother, Davao First District Rep. Paolo Duterte.
In a chance interview in Davao City, Duterte said it’s important to make sure government officials, including her, are in the right state.
The bill provides that government officials will be required to go through random drug testing through hair follicle check every six months. The bill specifically mentioned the president in the list.
The measure also aims to institutionalize voluntary random drug tests for electoral candidates within 90 days before poll date.
Duterte said she’s open to going through the testing herself.
“Nababasa ko na iyong panawagan ng mga tao at ayusin na lang natin kung kailan iyon kasi dapat siguro doon meron unang una, third party na kasali doon sa testing. At hindi lang isa ang laboratory para sure na tayo na nava-validate iyong results,” she said.
[Translation: I am reading the calls and let’s just determine when this will be. I think a third party must be involved in the testing. They should also use more than one laboratory to ensure that the results are validated]
The bill states any government forensic laboratories and those accredited by the Department of Health will be authorized to conduct the testing.
In a January rally, former President Rodrigo Duterte, father of the vice president and the bill’s author, accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of being under the influence of drugs.
