ILOILO City – Who’s afraid of the proposed mandatory drug test for candidates in next month’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections?
“Gina-welcome gid naton ina,” Liga ng mga Barangay – Iloilo City president Reyland Hervias told Panay News.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) proposed the drug test for election candidates despite a 2008 Supreme Court ruling that such was unconstitutional.
The election is on May 14.
According to Hervias, the testing process should be credible. Drug-using candidate taking the test from drug testing entities they could manipulate would simply defeat the purpose of the exercise, he explained.
First-termer Barangay Kagawad Ian Paul Cordero of San Nicolas, La Paz said he had no problem with taking a drug test.
“It’s a tool to expose the drug users and certify the clean candidates,” said Cordero who is seeking reelection.
A barangay official must be drug-free, he stressed, and the drug test will help voters decide who to support.
“How can you serve your constituent s well if you’re a drug addict? You can’t be a good model to them,” said Cordero.
Department of Interior and Local Government – Iloilo City chief Atty. Ferdinand Panes welcomed the PNP proposal.
“It is one way of vetting the candidates. The clean ones will certainly take the drug test while the drug-using candidates are expected to be hesitant,” said Panes./PN
