MANILA – Malacañang has warned lawmakers that a blanket policy requiring all government officials to undergo drug testing would be unconstitutional, reminding proponents that the Supreme Court has already struck down such a measure more than a decade ago.
The caution came after Sen. Robin Padilla floated the idea of mandatory testing for every public servant, regardless of rank.
“So, ang nais po ni Sen. Robin Padilla ay lahat ng public officers? Sana po ay nabasa niya na po ang desisyon ng korte patungkol po dito,” Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
Castro said while the goal of promoting integrity in public service is laudable, it cannot override existing legal precedents.
In 2008, the Supreme Court, in Social Justice Society vs. Dangerous Drugs Board, invalidated universal and compulsory drug testing for government officials, ruling it as a violation of constitutional rights.
“Hindi po hinahayaan at ito ay labag sa konstitusyon at sa privacy kung lahat po. ‘Pag sinabi po nating lahat, universal testing – mandatory universal or universal testing. Ang allowed lamang po ay ang random drug testing,” Castro stressed.
The high court ruling made clear that random testing is permissible, but mandatory universal drug tests would infringe on the right to privacy.
Castro further cautioned Padilla that ignoring these legal limits would only waste time and resources.
“Baka magsayang lang po ng oras at pera, pondo si Sen. Robin Padilla. Aralin po muna niya po ang nais niyang gawing batas,” she said./PN
