Sotto, Honasan lead random drug testing in Senate
SENATE President Vicente “Tito” Sotto and Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan 2nd on Monday led over 300 officials and employees in undergoing random drug testing.
Sotto assured the staff that the results of the tests would be confidential as guaranteed by Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Sotto announced the random drug testing after the flag-raising ceremony wherein he also informed the 1,700 employees that the Senate leadership has approved their request for a P5,000 increase in their monthly grocery allowance, making it P15,000 a month.
“As part of the Senate’s commitment to a drug-free environment and workplace and pursuant to our revised policy guidelines, there will be a random mandatory drug testing to be conducted today, immediately following the flag-raising ceremony. This will be conducted by the Senate medical and dental service,” he said.
“For the first time, the Senate will be using a five-panel test to screen all types of illegal drugs (which is) a more sensitive and comprehensive drug test compared to the two-panel test,” Sotto said.
He said the five-panel test was the “complete” drug screening. It can detect not just “shabu” and marijuana but also cocaine, heroin, and so-called party drugs.
“We must set the example. That’s why to show my support for the mandatory drug testing program of the Senate, I have decided to undergo drug testing today,” Sotto said.
“I will be the first in line. I have asked my BFF (best friend forever) Senator Gringo Honasan to be second in line. Let us lead the way in ensuring that we have a healthy and drug-free workplace, workforce in the Senate,” he said.
The random drug test is done annually at the Senate in compliance with Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular (CSC) 13, series of 2017 that requires all government agencies and offices, including constitutional bodies such as the Senate, to submit a regular report to the Dangerous Drugs Board on the conduct of drug tests and the number of personnel who tested positive, if there were any.
Employees from the departments of the Senate were randomly selected for the drug test to ensure its impartiality, as well as carry the element of surprise.
Both Sotto and Honasan are veterans of drug testing, having undergone the procedure in almost every election they were part of in the past.
In the 2016 national elections, Sotto and Honasan voluntarily underwent drug testing during a leg of their campaign in Cebu City to set an example to the other candidates on the need to be transparent about their medical records and to emphasize the responsibility of public servants to maintain a drug-free lifestyle.
Candidates for public office are not required to undergo drug testing as affirmed by the Supreme Court in a 2008 ruling.
RA 9165, authored by Sotto, provides that officers and employees of public offices shall undergo random drug testing.
Any officer or employee found positive for use of dangerous drugs could face suspension or termination subject to the pertinent provisions of the Civil Service Law.
Based on CSC Circular 13, the objective of the random drug testing is to ensure that government agencies remain drug-free.
The conduct of mandatory random drug testing also serves as a condition for the retention of public officials and employees in government service. BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO
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