Palace opposes Padilla’s mandatory drug testing for public officials

Malacañang expressed concern over Senator Robinhood C. Padilla's proposed measure mandating annual drug testing for all public officials, citing potential violations of the Constitution.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro cited a 2008 Supreme Court decision stating that universal mandatory drug testing infringes on privacy rights and is unconstitutional unless conducted randomly under reasonable circumstances.

Castro urged Senator Padilla to study legal implications before proposing such legislation, emphasizing that mandatory random drug testing is allowed but not universal testing.

Padilla's chief of staff Rudolf Philip Jurado responded by saying Castro should 'let the senators debate and decide' on the proposal, acknowledging that the matter would have to be settled in the Senate.

The bill was prompted by an incident report involving one of Padilla's staff members who has since resigned after alleged marijuana use in a Senate restroom last week.

Padilla's office defended the measure as a practical step to protect health and safety while fostering public trust, emphasizing that it is not a 'gimmick'.

Under Padilla's bill, all elected and appointed officials of the government, government instrumentalities, or GOCCs, whether domestic or overseas, including the President of the Philippines, are covered by the proposed Drug-Free Government Act.