The declaration of the presidential and vice presidential candidates of their willingness to undergo drug test was a music to the ears of top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
For PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, such declaration is a reflection of the candidates’ commitment for drug-free governance.
“We in the Philippine National Police welcome the declaration of our presidential candidates to undergo drug test and see it as a commitment on the need to continuously address the illegal drug problem in the country,” said Eleazar.
He said that as applicants for government positions, candidates for the May 2022 elections should indeed be at the forefront of showing to the public that they are clean and that they will continue addressing the problem.
Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Panfilo Lacson have already expressed their intention to support move to require both national and local candidates to undergo drug test. The same expression of support was aired by Senators Manny Pacquiao and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and former Sen. Bongbong Marcos.
Eleazar said the willingness of the candidates to undergo drug test is like the vaccination program wherein a lot of people were convinced to be inoculated after seeing top government leaders getting the jab regardless of the brand.
Five vice presidential candidates also expressed willingness to support the move- Senators Vicente Sotto, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Christopher “Bong” Go, Buhay partylist Rep. Lito Atienza and Doc Willie Ong.
Sotto was also quoted saying that he included drug test in the Republic Act 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, but was shot down by the Supreme Court over constitutionality issues.
“On the part of the PNP, we will support whatever the strategies that would be implemented by our next leaders on the campaign against illegal because despite the criticisms, this campaign resulted in significant reduction of crime in the country,” said Eleazar.