Drug test is now required for employment in the judiciary and in all offices under the supervision of the Supreme Court (SC), and all personnel, including contractual like janitors and security guards, will be subjected to random mandatory drug test.

The Guidelines for the Implementation of a Drug-Free Policy in the Judiciary were contained in Administrative Matter No. 23-02-11-SC which had been published in the Manila Bulletin last Sunday, Sept. 17.

The SC said that “employees found positive for dangerous drug use shall be dealt with administratively, and such finding shall be a ground for suspension or termination, subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Law and A.M. No. 21- 08-09-SC or the Further Amendments to Rule 140 of the Rules of Court.”

It said the “guidelines also seek to enhance awareness about the use, abuse, and adverse effects of dangerous drugs among the Judiciary’s officials and employees through information dissemination and periodic random drug testing. “

The guidelines apply to all officials or personnel of the judiciary, regardless of status of appointment, who are employed at the SC, the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan, the Court of Tax Appeals, and the
first- and second-level courts under the direct supervision of the Office of the Court Administrator.

They also cover employees in the Judicial and Bar Council, Judicial Integrity Board, Philippine Judicial Academy, Office of the Judiciary Marshals, Mandatory Continuing Legal Office, and all other offices placed under the supervision of the SC.

Other workers detailed or working in the courts such as security and janitorial services personnel hired through service contracts as well as employees detailed as members of the Senate Electoral Tribunal and House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal are also subject to the guidelines, the SC said.