DAVAO CITY – Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte filed on Tuesday, Nov. 18, two key legislative measures, one calling for an urgent congressional inquiry into the alleged P100-billion insertions in the proposed 2025 national budget, and another requiring random hair follicle drug testing for all elected and appointed government officials.

Both measures were electronically filed before noon at the House of Representatives.

Under House Resolution No. 488, Duterte urged the appropriate House committee to immediately investigate former Rep. Zaldy Co’s claims that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez allegedly pushed for the inclusion of around P100-billion worth of projects during the 2025 bicameral conference committee deliberations.

The resolution cited several allegations made by Co in online video recordings, including claims that the President ordered the insertion of the P100-billion line items, that a 25-percent kickback was supposedly demanded, and that money-filled suitcases were allegedly delivered to high-ranking officials.

Duterte stressed in the resolution that the “scale and detail” of the allegations warrant a thorough legislative inquiry, noting that the accusations raise serious concerns about transparency, public trust, and potential undue influence in the national budget process.

The measure directed the committee to invite Co, officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways, representatives of the Office of the President, the Department of Budget and Management, and other concerned agencies to clarify or refute the allegations and present supporting evidence.

Duterte also filed HB No. 6105 that mandates random drug testing for all elected and appointed officials using hair follicle analysis as the primary screening method.

HB 6105 proposes amendments to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (RA 9165) to incorporate hair follicle testing, which Duterte said is more effective in detecting unreported and long-term drug use.

The measure would apply to national and local elected officials, appointed government officials, GOCC personnel, and candidates for public office.

Drug testing expenses would be charged to respective agencies under the General Appropriations Act.

In his explanatory note, Duterte said expanding mandatory drug testing is necessary due to the significant gap between the estimated number of drug users nationwide and those reported or apprehended.

He emphasized that public servants should be the first to uphold accountability and integrity.

The bill stated that mandatory random drug testing supports the principle of equal protection and strengthens the government’s efforts to identify and address drug abuse among individuals entrusted with public authority.

The filing of both measures follows political turbulence triggered by Co’s allegations and recent public remarks by Sen. Imee Marcos regarding her brother, the President.

Duterte, who has long pushed for stricter drug testing for government officials, said the proposal aims to reinforce public trust and ensure that those in public office meet the standards of honesty and integrity required by the Constitution.

The resolution and the drug-testing bill are expected to draw significant attention as Congress prepares to tackle the budget controversy and broader issues of public accountability.