Vice presidential aspirant Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III on Saturday, Nov, 20 said he and Partido Reforma chairman and standard bearer Panfilo M. Lacson will undergo voluntary drug test two to three weeks before the May 2022 national elections.
He said he and Lacson would undergo drug testing now if there is such a demand and a voluntary test weeks before the elections.
During a DWIZ radio interview, Sotto agreed with the idea of a proposed a drug test challenge where national candidates undergo voluntary illegal drugs testing at accredited and reliable drug testing centers to show to the electors that they are clean.
The Senate chief, likewise, rejected a proposal that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) compel candidates to undergo drug testing.
Sotto said the Supreme Court had decided that mandatory testing of candidates is unconstitutional because the Constitution only states that a candidate should be a Filipino and must know how to read and write.
He refused to comment on a claim of President Duterte that a presidential candidate is a cocaine user.
Another presidential aspirant, Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, said that mandatory drug test must be required for anyone who wants to work in government, elective or appointed.
‘’This will be a requirement in my administration without prejudice sa mga na-rehabilitate at talagang iniwanan na ang bisyo (without prejudice to those who were rehabilitated and really wanted to leave the vice),’’ he said.
Pacquiao maintained that all have the right to turn a new leaf.
‘’Although I'm not in a position to judge anyone on this issue, I am willing to undergo drug test anytime and anywhere,’’ he stressed.
‘’Sana ganyan din ang ating mga kapwa kandidato I hope all candidates will undergo drug testing). Mas maganda kung hair follicle test para mas sigurado (It is better that what should be tested are hair follicles to be sure),’’ he added,