President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has rejected calls for him to undergo a hair follicle drug test, saying it has no connection to public trust.
Former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez earlier challenged Marcos to take a hair follicle drug test to dismiss allegations of drug use, citing the constitutional principle that public office is a public trust.
"No, no. Why should I do that? What is he saying—public trust, public office… [it] has nothing to do with a follicle test. Please. There is no connection to what he is saying,” Marcos said in a chance interview on Friday.
Marcos also criticized his former chief of staff for making such statements, noting that it was Rodriguez’s “weakness” when they worked together.
“He’s always had that weakness every time… when he was still working for me. If you believe in what he was saying, why did he work for me?” the President remarked.
Rodriguez first called on Marcos to commit to a credible drug test in 2024.
Prior to his appointment and resignation as Executive Secretary, Rodriguez served as Marcos’ spokesperson.