Senate to conduct mandatory random drug testing

Senate President Francis Escudero confirmed that the Senate will conduct mandatory random drug testing for all officials and employees in the 20th Congress.

This initiative is in response to a request by Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III to maintain a drug-free workplace.

A partnership with East Avenue Medical Center, established in March, will facilitate the testing.

The Senate had to postpone the testing originally planned for 2025 due to the national and local elections impacting employee availability.

Escudero stated that new policy guidelines, developed in consultation with concerned offices and incorporating lessons from past implementations, are being finalized.

Intervention measures have been tightened to ensure a more effective and transparent process.