The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reiterated that the Supreme Court already ruled against the mandatory drug test for electoral candidates.
"We’ve done this before. The Supreme Court ruled against it, and we stopped," said Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez.
In 2008, the Supreme Court declared a provision in the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and a Comelec resolution---requiring mandatory drug testing to all candidates for public office---as "unconstitutional."
Jimenez made the statement after senatorial aspirant broadcaster Raffy Tulfo suggested making drug testing a requirement for all candidates.
Some presidential aspirants for the May 2022 elections were in favor of requiring such policy.
These include presidential aspirants Vice President Leni Robredo, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, labor leader Leody de Guzman, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., senators Manny Pacquiao, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, and Panfilo Lacson.