Defensor: Drug test for brgy, SK election bets OK but…

Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.

ILOILO City – Arthur Defensor Sr. supports the call for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election candidates to undergo a drug test.

But the Iloilo governor acknowledged that no candidate can be forced to take it.

The Commission on Elections started accommodating certificates of candidacy on Saturday.

Defensor said the drug test will help weed out “pushers and addicts” from the roster of candidates.

Maayo man ina kon may drug test, galing indi man mapuersa,” he said.

The elections will be on May 14.

The governor said the drug test must be taken by any candidate voluntarily.

“Under the law, you cannot force them (candidates) to submit a drug test [result],” Defensor said.

Still, the governor said, “ang maluyag nga mag-submit sang drug test mas maayo e.”

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body tried but failed to impose a regulation requiring candidates to undergo drug testing.

In 2003, Jimenez said, Comelec issued Resolution 6486 making drug testing mandatory among candidates.

But the Supreme Court ruled that imposing mandatory drug testing is beyond the powers of Comelec.

“Comelec simply cannot add to the eligibility requirements on its own,” Jimenez said in a Philstar.com report.

Incoming Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde urged prospective barangay and SK election candidates to take a drug test and make the result public.

Congress has the power to set qualifications of local government officials, including barangay officials, said Jimenez.

“If Congress wanted to, it could make mandatory drug testing a requirement for local elective office – from governor all the way down to barangay kagawad,” he said./PN

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here