Random drug testing in the Senate? Some senators favor it
By Dhel Nazario
Published Aug 15, 2025 03:56 pm
At A Glance
- Several senators backed calls for random drug testing in the Senate after reports that a staff member of Senator Robin Padilla was caught using marijuana on the premises.
Some senators are supporting the call for random drug testing in the upper chamber, following an incident of alleged marijuana use within its premises.
Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on August 6, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
It was Senate Minority Leader Vicente "Tito Sotto" III who first made the call. He stated that random drug testing was in effect among the Senate employees during his time and was optional for senators.
"Maganda yun sapagkat mapipilitan ka umiwas dahil 'pag nahuli ka siguradong suspendido ka or baka tanggal ka sa Senate (That’s good because it will force you to avoid it, since if you get caught, you’ll surely be suspended or might even be removed from the Senate)," he said.
He recalled that during his time, it happened at least once a week, shifting from office to office. He added that there was even a lawyer who was removed after he refused to undergo the test.
Sotto said he was shocked when he learned about the news regarding marijuana use inside the Senate, and said that it's embarrassing.
"Sobrang nakakahiya yan...nakakahiya mga kababayan natin. Sa Senado pa, ang kapal naman nila (That’s extremely embarrassing… an embarrassment to our fellow countrymen. And in the Senate, no less — the nerve of them)," he added.
On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said that he has consistently supported calls for random drug testing among all officials and staff of the Senate, regardless of who is serving as Senate President.
"I am confident that under the leadership of Senate President Chiz Escudero, this practice will continue, and I believe this is an opportune time to reaffirm our commitment to it as a means of upholding the integrity of the institution," he said.
"On a personal note, I am open to undergo a drug test of any type. It is very important not only for us Senators but for all civil servants to lead by example," he added.
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa says it's a "good move" to make sure that they have a drug-free workplace.
The Office of Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla has already called for an investigation into reports that one of his staff was caught smoking marijuana within the premises of the Senate.
In the latest development, Lawyer Rudolf Philip Jurado, Padilla's chief-of-staff, said that the staff in question, Nadia Montenegro, was given five days until Tuesday to submit a written explanation. He denied reports that she had already resigned and clarified that she is on leave.
Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. has instructed the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) to immediately conduct an investigation into the matter. The OSAA has submitted its report on the incident on Thursday, Aug. 14.
"As instructed by the Senate President Escudero, we have provided a copy of this report to the Office of Senator Robinhood Padilla for their information and appropriate action," he added.