MANILA – Detained senator Leila de Lima urged the incoming Philippine National Police chief to require all government officials to take a drug test – starting with President Rodrigo Duterte.
Oscar Albayalde challenged barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election candidates to prove that they are free from illegal substances by taking a drug test.
De Lima, a fierce critic of the President, believes the proposal was discriminating.
What Albayalde suggested “[is] anti-poor, violates equal protection and smacks of class legislation,” she said.
“It targets only lowly barangay and SK hopefuls, and spares the rich and privileged candidates for higher elective office,” she added.
Duterte repeatedly pushed for the postponement of the barangay and SK election as he cautioned that drug lords might fund the campaign and eventual victory of some candidates.
The House of Representatives voted to again postpone the elections, scheduled this May 14. There was no Senate counterpart measure for the same purpose.
“Albayalde shouldn’t be selective in his new plans on how to wage the drug war,” said de Lima, who was detained over drug-related charges.
“If he proposes drug tests, start with the President. And if Duterte fails the drug test, Albayalde should recommend his removal from office,” she said.
Albayalde – whom Duterte recently named as his choice to replace the retiring Ronald dela Rosa – said they were validating the names of incumbent barangay officials in the government’s drug list.
“If I were a candidate for barangay elections, I would volunteer for a drug test if I am not hiding anything,” said Albayalde, currently the National Capital Region Police Office director./PN
