Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers has commended actor-turned-Senator Robinhood “Robin” Padilla’s call for government officials and his colleagues in showbiz to take a drug test as a prerequisite for their employment following the arrest of actor Dominic Roco and four others in a drug bust in Quezon City.
“We praise Sen. Padilla in his position that Filipinos, government officials and staff, including his fellow workers in the showbiz industry, should be protected from the harmful effects of illegal drugs,” Barbers, House committee on dangerous drugs chairperson, said in the vernacular on Saturday.
Despite Padilla’s disagreement with the Mindanaoan lawmaker’s proposal of the mandatory drug test as it is tantamount to “violating their human rights,” he suggested that it can be done voluntarily.
The neophyte senator said this over the weekend in response to Barbers’ proposal to have entertainment workers take drug tests before they are allowed to work on TV or movie projects.
However, although he supports the government’s anti-drug campaign, he stressed that government officials and employees should go first if any sector is obliged to take drug tests.
Barbers’ suggestion for the mandatory drug testing came after Roco, son of veteran actor Bembol Roco, was apprehended with four other individuals by the Quezon City Police District Station 14 Drug Enforcement Unit for possessing suspected illegal drugs in operation in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, on 1 October.
He said actors who have a huge influence on the public should refrain from drugs or substance abuse since they serve as good role models to youth and that testing would ensure they are drug-free.
In his anti-drug crusade, Barbers has filed resolutions calling for House members to submit themselves to a mandatory drug test before assumption to the office and every year thereafter.
Barbers has proposed resolutions in his anti-drug crusade urging House members to submit to a mandatory drug test before taking office and every year thereafter.
Failure to comply shall be grounds for withholding salaries, wages and benefits and sanctions by civil service laws and rules.
While mandatory drug testing, if done randomly and without suspicion, may be unconstitutional as declared by the Supreme Court, it is the right of every employer, government or private, to craft anti-drug policies that compel their employees to take a drug test, according to the solon.