Padilla: Drug test volunteers in gov’t deserve ‘award’

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robinhood Padilla has filed a bill seeking to establish a recognition program for elected and appointed public officials who voluntarily undergo drug testing.

Senate Bill No. 2541, or the proposed “Gawad Integridad Kontra Droga Recognition Act,” seeks to institutionalize the award under the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which would oversee the granting of recognition to officials who submit negative results from a voluntary drug test conducted at a Department of Health (DOH)-accredited facility.

Encouragement

“The recognition is intended to encourage voluntary compliance and demonstrate that accountability in public office may begin even before a legal obligation is imposed,” Padilla said in the explanatory note of his bill filed on Monday.

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READ: Isabela vice mayor clears drug test after Remulla challenge

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His filing came only a few days after the senator shared on Facebook a copy of his negative drug test result and encouraged peers to likewise undergo testing.

According to Padilla, public confidence in government could be strengthened when officials voluntarily subject themselves to reasonable measures promoting transparency, accountability and integrity.

Not as med certificate

However, the proposed recognition should not be considered as proof that its recipient is permanently free from dangerous drugs or serve as a medical certification of the recipient’s health, the bill read.

It would also not establish a presumption that the recipient is qualified for public office, exempt the recipient from mandatory drug-testing requirements under existing laws, or be used as evidence of the person’s general character or fitness.

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In Padilla’s measure, public officials who wish to receive the recognition must submit an application to the CSC and a certification from a facility accredited by the DOH confirming completion of the required drug test.

Applicants must also present a negative drug test result based on urine, blood, and hair follicle examinations and a sworn affidavit stating that public funds were not used to pay for the test, along with other documents that the CSC may require. /cb