Malacañang raised constitutional concerns on Wednesday over Senator Robin Padilla’s proposal to require all government officials including the President of the Philippines to undergo annual mandatory drug testing.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro stressed that the measure, as contained in Padilla’s Senate Bill No. 1200 or the Drug-Free Government Act, may violate the Constitution and the right to privacy.
“Labag sa Konstitusyon at sa privacy kung lahat po, mandatory [o] universal testing,” Castro said during a press briefing on August 20.
“Ang allowed lamang po ay random drug testing so baka magsayang lamang po ng oras, pera at pondo si Senator Robin Padilla," she added.
Castro questioned Padilla if the latter had reviewed the 2008 Supreme Court ruling in Social Justice Society vs. Dangerous Drugs Board, which declared that mandatory universal drug testing was 'unconstitutional' and a violation of the right to privacy.
“Aralin po muna niya ang nais niyang gawing batas," she emphasized.
On August 18, Padilla filed Senate Bill No. 1200 seeking to institutionalize mandatory annual drug testing for elected and appointed officials, including the President, as well as government instrumentalities and government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) both domestic and overseas.
The actor-turned-politician also proposed voluntary random drug testing for electoral candidates within 90 days before election day.
Under the bill, officials would be subjected to screening through hair follicle and urine drug tests.
Padilla’s filing came after reports surfaced alleging marijuana use by his political affairs officer, actress Nadia Montenegro, who has since denied the accusation.
