The chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Tirso Cruz III and the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc. (MOWELFUND) president Rez Cortez couldn't help but react to the proposed "mandatory drug testing" of showbiz people.
In an interview with ABS-CBN, Rez reiterated that producers have already been self-regulating for years.
He then remarked, "If there's no reasonable suspicion, why should the entire industry take the brunt of isolated cases?"
Tirso echoed the same sentiment.
He was quoted to have said: “The fight against trafficking and use of illegal drugs should be everyone’s concern as law-abiding citizens of the country. We find it greatly discriminatory, however, that actors and performers from the entertainment industry are being singled out for drug testing.”
“Worse, there is a strong move making producers shoulder the extra cost for all performers’ drug tests. This is outright unfair and burdensome coming from a pandemic that left so many of us out of work, and getting back on track remains a huge challenge,” he added.
Tirso reiterated that the industry needs all the support it could get and not oppressive policies that only add unnecessary costs, paralyzing the industry even more.
Recall that Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who chairs the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, suggested the move after the arrest of actor Dominic Roco, son of veteran actor Bembol Roco, and four companions during a buy-bust operation in Quezon City over the weekend.
Meanwhile, actor-turned-Senator Robin Padilla does not agree with Robert’s proposal.
He suggested voluntary drug testing instead.