Senators back random drug testing in Senate after staff marijuana use claim
SENATORS are open to exploring the legalization of medical marijuana, citing its potential benefits for patients in need.
Photo courtesy of the Senate of the Philippines
After a staff member of Senator Robinhood Padilla was accused of using marijuana at the confines of the Senate of the Philippines, two senators have backed proposals of random drug testing for all officials and staff of the august chamber.
“I have consistently supported calls for random drug testing among all officials and staff of the Senate, regardless of who is serving as Senate President. I am confident that under the leadership of Senate President Chiz Escudero, this practice will continue, and I believe this is an opportune time to reaffirm our commitment to it as a means of upholding the integrity of the institution,” said Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.
“On a personal note, I am open to undergoing a drug test of any type. It is very important not only for us Senators but for all civil servants to lead by example,” Villanueva added.
Earlier on Friday, Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III was quoted in a news report asking to bring back the random drug testing at the Senate, as what happened was an embarrassment for the Senate.
News reports circulated in recent days that former actress, now a staff member of Senator Padilla, Nadia Montenegro, was the one who came out of a cubicle in one of the comfort rooms of the Senate building.
However, Montenegro denied the allegations, while the Senate secretary notified the office of Senator Padilla via an incident report.
Padilla’s chief of staff, Atty. Rudolf Philip Jurado, called the news report “fake” due to some inconsistencies.
“If you read the incident report of the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and the two news articles, they are diametrically opposed to each other. The stories and the alleged facts are east and west. A classic example of fake news,” Jurado told reporters.
Montenegro, who is now on a leave of absence, also denied the allegations, stating that she only used a vape while in the comfort room, which is another violation of the “No Smoking” policy of the Senate.
Senator Padilla is a staunch supporter of marijuana for medical use, with the lawmaker, in June this year, refiling Senate Bill No. 2573 for the 20th Congress, or the proposed Cannabis Medicalization Act of the Philippines.